Pre-apprenticeship Programs in California

California’s Labor Code provides for pre-apprenticeship program in Division 3, Chapter 4, Article 4. Labor Code Section 3100 required the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) to develop a process to approve pre-apprenticeship programs for purpose of establishing eligibility for any state programs.

In addition, a program seeking approval as a pre-apprenticeship program is required to submit to the DAS a request for approval, on a form developed by the DAS, including documentation evidencing that the program’s pre-apprenticeship training activities conducted in partnership with one or more apprenticeship programs approved by the DAS. Valid documentation for purposes of this section includes a copy of a memorandum of understanding or other formal written agreement that contains specified information.

In order to qualify for approval, a pre-apprenticeship program is required to include specified elements, such as training and curriculum, and strategies that increase registered apprenticeship opportunities for certain individuals. Pre-apprenticeship programs must be evaluated and approved based on a determination of the strengths of the elements as demonstrated in the application. The approval lasts three years.