Career Apprenticeship Bridge Program.

Assembly Member Fong's Career Apprenticeship Bridge Program legislation establishes a new framework within the Division of Apprenticeship Standards to coordinate apprenticeship opportunities for youth ages 16 to 24. The program creates pathways for both in-school and out-of-school youth to access paid training and support services through approved industry partnerships.

The Division of Apprenticeship Standards would oversee several core program components under the legislation. These include developing an approval process for industry-specific pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship pathways, implementing a youth apprenticeship data system for tracking outcomes, and identifying resources to sustain program operations. The bill also calls for establishing formal partnerships between local educational agencies, the State Department of Education, other state entities, and employers to guide implementation.

The measure builds upon existing apprenticeship oversight by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards while creating new administrative responsibilities focused specifically on youth engagement. While the legislation does not include new appropriations, it directs the Division to coordinate existing resources and partnerships to develop the program infrastructure, including the data systems and approval processes needed to launch and maintain youth apprenticeship opportunities.