Building Bridges to College and Careers Through Public Education and Workforce System Collaboration

Lessons from California’s Youth Manufacturing Skills Pilot

In 2013, the California Workforce Development Board (State Board) granted funds to four partnerships of local workforce development boards (Local Boards) and educational providers to design and implement innovative pilot programs that “bridge” 18-24 year olds to careers in advanced manufacturing. The grants leveraged the strengths of the public education and workforce systems to equip underrepresented youth with industry skills, credentials, and hands-on work experience, developing the future workforce vital to our State’s economic growth. This brief describes effective practices tested by these bridge programs and the State Board that address the needs of industry and of students. It also summarizes emergent policy recommendations to strengthen and expand bridge opportunities for California’s youth.