LA County High Road Training Partnerships

To create and expand HRTPs in LA County, DEO launched the new High Road Training Partnerships (HRTP) Fund on April 14th with over $17 million available to fund innovative, high-quality workforce training models delivered by worker-centered organizations and employers.

This fund was open to workforce organizations developing or expanding worker and industry-informed training programs that serve LA County individuals most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and racial and economic inequities.

Update: DEO has awarded 19 new HRTPs grants with anticipated enrollment exceeding 1,800 workers as of July 9, 2025. Partners include:

1. Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
2. Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (FTBMI)
3. The Get Focused Stay Focused Nonprofit
4. GRID Alternatives
5. Hospitality Training Academy (HTA)
6. Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD)
7. Los Angeles Urban League
8. LA/OC Building & Construction Trades Council Apprenticeship Readiness Fund
9. Loyola Marymount University
10. New Earth
11. Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California
12. Prestige Career College
13. Propel America
14. REDF
15. Rio Hondo College
16. The SoLa Foundation
17. Western States Council of SMART
18. White Hall Arts Academy Foundation
19. Worldwide Starship Foundation

This announcement followed its review through May 11^th and recommended awards on June 10^th. The HRTP Fund attracted 100+ highly competitive applications and resources limited funding of all qualifying programs.

Individual programs and cohorts will launch between August 2025 and December 2026. This page will be updated with details as they come online.

Interested partners and participants in programs or future HRTP Fund announcements, including future award cycles, may check back and are also encouraged to sign up for DEO social’s @econoppla and newsletter here for real-time updates on recruitments.

In August 2025, we reissued the RFA to solicit proposals for a Digital Navigators  focused HRTP, with up to $1 million in available funding for one selected program. The application window for this Digital Navigators RFP closed on August 29th, 2025.

We thank all applicants who took the time to apply to the RFA. The applications are currently under review, and the selected grantee will be announced in October 2025.

Lost Angels Work Program

Industry Challenge: In the Antelope Valley, there is a need to build a local talent pipeline for a growing number of hard to fill vacancies, like CNC Machinist and Fabricator, with local aerospace employers. Aerospace jobs in the Antelope Valley grew 16% (2018-2023), with 4% additional growth expected by 2028. Additionally, there is a high percentage of unemployed opportunity youth in the region in need of connection to workforce services and training for good-paying careers.

Training Solution: This 12-week training program is preparing young adults for careers in aerospace by providing hands-on experience in welding, blueprint reading, auto painting and engine assembly.  Participants train for 19 hours per week while earning $18 per hour, and graduate with certifications in forklift operations, OSHA 40, HAZMAT and CPR.

HRTP Partners: Lost Angels Career Center (Lead), Training Funding Partners, Antelope Valley America’s Job Center of California, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Stratolaunch, General Automics, Woodward, MS Aerospace, AS Aerospace, Spin Garage, ITT

Learn and Apply: Visit here for more information and fill out their interest form here. DEO funded application window is currently closed.

Multi-Craft Core Curriculum Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Industry Challenge: The construction industry in LA County is projected to grow by 12.8% by 2030, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. To meet this demand, it will be critical to expand and diversify the local talent pipeline in the 14 Building Trades.  Additionally, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games approaching a skilled workforce will be needed for construction and infrastructure upgrades.

Training Solution: A 10-week registered Pre-Apprenticeship program provides a direct pathway into union apprenticeships in the building trades. Participants complete a 120-hour industry approved training that combines hands on instruction, a physical fitness component and essential trade knowledge through the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3). Graduates earn the MC3 certification along with OSHA 10, CPR, and First Aid certifications.

HRTP Partners: Apprenticeship Readiness Fund (Lead), Los Angeles/Orange County Building and Construction Trades Council, MC3 training providers, and 55+ employers

Learn and Apply: To learn more visit here and apply at any of the partners found here. DEO funded application window is currently closed.

Digital Editing and Storytelling Pre-Apprenticeship

Industry Challenge: LA County’s position as the global hub of the entertainment is at risk due to a lack of access for local, diverse and high skilled talent in the Creative, Arts, Media and Entertainment sectors. The creative economy contributes 14.9% ($507.4 billion) of the state’s $3.4 trillion economy and 7.6% of the state’s jobs. However, gaps in workforce development and industry supporting infrastructure threaten the retention of productions and jobs.

Training Solutions: A paid, 8-week registered pre-apprenticeship provides hands on training in digital editing and storytelling, equipping participants with technical skills and industry experience. Graduates earn a Venice Arts Pre-Apprenticeship Certification and have the opportunity to obtain an Adobe Premier Pro Certification.

HRTP Partners: Venice Arts (Lead)

Learn and Apply: To learn more and apply for Digital Editing and Storytelling Pre-Apprenticeships through Venice Arts, visit here.

Arts, Media, and Entertainment (AME) HRTP

Industry Challenge:  To bridge training & education programs with employment and drive economic mobility for underrepresented arts, media & entertainment workers in California’s creative economy.

Training Solution: Participants complete a registered pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, or on-the-job training that spans 8 weeks to a year including stipends, mentorship, career coaching, and ongoing support designed to advance underrepresented Arts, Media, and Entertainment workers in LA County. These programs prepare individuals for a wide range of high-skill, high-wage jobs across the region’s sectors such as Film/Television, Music/Audio, Live Events and Entertainment industries, Sound Engineering Technicians, Audio and Visual Technicians, Lighting Technicians, Animation, VFX, Games, Game Designers among other various occupations in partnership with several Registered Apprenticeship Program Sponsors (RAPS), community-based organizations, and labor union training programs. This partnership supports 495 apprentices, building on the CA Workforce Development Board’s proven AME-HRTP model to expand economic mobility in the creative economy.

HRTP Partnership: Break, Reinvent, Impact, and Change (BRIC) Foundation (Lead), South Bay Workforce Investment Board (Lead), and 30+ Employer Partners

Learn and Apply: To learn more and apply for Arts, Media, and Entertainment High Road Training Partnerships, visit here.

Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship Program

Industry Challenge: The early care and education industry faces an unmet demand for qualified workers. According to the Department of Public Health’s Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education, LA county has over 725,000 children under 5 years old, yet licensed centers and family childcare homes can only serve 7% of working parents’ childcare needs. This limits economic independence and security for families, women and caretakers.

Training Solution: A 1.5 to 2-year Assistant Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program provides participants free community college education and paid on the job training including 180 hours of classroom instruction and 2,000 hours of subsidized work experience through partnership with hiring employers. The program also includes a Teacher Preparation Academy with additional job readiness training, trauma-informed instruction, and professional development for all apprentices. Upon completion graduates earn the State Associate Teacher Permit, a key credential to pursue employment in early care and education.

HRTP Partners: Department of Public Health Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education, Los Angeles County Office of Education (Lead), Child Care Resource Center (Lead), Early Care and Education Pathways to Success, Pierce College, West LA College, College of the Canyons, Volunteers for America, Head Start

Learn and Apply: DEO application window is currently closed. To learn more, visit here.

Caring Workforce Training Program

Industry Challenge: LA County is facing a critical shortage of home care workers with an overall projected shortfall of 500,000 healthcare workers by 2026. There is a need to build a local talent pipeline and address the need to improve the quality and pay of jobs and care in the home care field, facing a critical shortage and high demand, by enhancing training and supporting employee ownership pathways.

Training Solution: All participants graduate from the 9-week training program that provides paid instructional classroom and on-the-job training at an hourly wage of $22/hour, CA Home Care Aid registration as a California Home Care Aid, higher wages, and the opportunity to join a Worker Coop.

HRTP Partners: Pilipino Workers Center (Lead), Worker Cooperatives, Alzheimer’s Los Angeles, Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI) National, Homecare Agencies & Employers

Learn and Apply: DEO application window is currently closed. Visit here to apply to a current cohort.

Technology & Information Technology HRTP

Industry Challenge: LA County needs tech infrastructure to access non-traditional Registered Apprenticeship Programs and monitor apprenticeship progress for employer sponsors and apprentices to meet the 17% projected growth in tech talent workforce by 2028.

Training Solution: A dozen non-traditional Registered Apprenticeships available for businesses and jobseekers, including the technological platform for non-traditional apprenticeships in: Front-end Developer, Web Developer, Quality Assurance Developer, Data Analyst, Cloud Support Associate, Digital Marketing Manager, Network/IT/Cybersecurity Support Specialist, Office Operations Manager, Business Development Representative, Blockchain Developer, and Videographer.

HRTP Partners: BuildWithin (Lead)

Learn and Apply: Interested employers or job seekers can email info@buildwithin.com.

The Worker Equity Fund provides HRTP participants with $1,500 in emergency cash aid to overcome any barriers that would otherwise prevent them from completing the training and embarking on their new career. All HRTP participants are eligible to receive the Worker Equity Fund.