SACRAMENTO, Calif. – March 23, 2026 – The Associated General Contractors of California’s Construction Education Foundation (AGC CEF) is proud to announce it has been awarded a $1 million High Road Training Program (HRTP) grant by the California Workforce Development Board. The grant is part of a larger $18 million statewide investment aimed at increasing access to existing jobs for underserved populations and creating pathways for incumbent workers seeking job growth with High Road employers.
AGC CEF will execute its grant-funded scope in close partnership with the Northern California Laborers Training Center (LTC) and the Southern California Laborers Training School (LTS). Over the grant period, the project will deliver eight Laborers Build California pre-apprenticeship cohorts, preparing 168 underrepresented Californians for direct entry into union-affiliated construction apprenticeships.
The grant supports AGC CEF’s Build California program in three key areas:
- Expand access to high-roads, construction careers for women, BIPOC, justice-involved individuals, low-income and opportunity youth, and veterans.
- Develop a scalable and replicable pre-apprenticeship model that integrates worker voice, employer engagement, and wraparound supportive services.
- Improve retention and job quality by strengthening inclusive jobsite culture through employer training and bystander intervention practices.
“This investment strengthens our long-standing partnership with the Northern and Southern California Laborers Training Centers and advances our shared mission,” said Peter Tateishi, chief executive officer of AGC of California. “We believe construction careers transform lives. By aligning industry leadership with hands-on training expertise, we are expanding opportunity and inspiring a construction industry where people belong, grow and build lasting legacies.”
“The Northern California District Council of Laborers is proud to partner with the AGC Construction Education Foundation to expand pre-apprenticeship opportunities through the Laborers Build California initiative,” said Oscar De La Torre, LiUNA vice president and Northern California District Council of Laborers business manager. “This funding will help connect more individuals to high-quality training and create a stronger, more diverse pipeline of skilled construction workers to meet California’s growing infrastructure needs.”
“The Laborers Training School is proud to partner with AGC of California and the Northern California Laborers Training Center to expand access to meaningful careers in the construction industry,” said David Espinoza, executive director of the Laborers Training School. “Registered apprenticeship remains one of the most proven pathways for individuals to achieve economic mobility. Through this High Road Training Program investment, we are creating new opportunities for underserved Californians to enter the skilled trades, earn while they learn, and build lasting careers that strengthen our communities and our infrastructure.”
To learn more about the HRTP grant program and view the complete list of funded organizations, visit the California Workforce Development Board’s announcement: https://cwdb.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2025/12/HRTP_2025-Award-Announcement.pdf.
