Starting January 1, California Schools Holding Career Fairs must notify Apprenticeship Programs
On September 27, 2021 Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law AB 643, a bill requiring schools to notify apprenticeship programs of upcoming career or college fairs. The bill aims to increase student awareness of the substantial post-graduation training and career development opportunities that apprenticeship programs provide.
AB 643 requires any public school, including a charter or alternative school, planning to hold a career or college fair to notify each apprenticeship program in the county. The notification must include the planned date, time, and location of the career or college fair, and can be made by either the school district or the school. The school district or school must rely on the online database of approved apprenticeship programs published by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) within the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) to determine the county location of an apprenticeship program and therefore which apprenticeship programs to notify. In addition to the career and college fair notification requirement, AB 643 encourages school districts and schools to host “apprenticeship fair events, in the style of college and career events” that would “focus[] on local apprenticeship programs and career technical education opportunities.”
Assemblyperson James Ramos, AB 643’s sponsor, stressed the importance of high schools presenting trade apprenticeships as an option to their students, given such apprenticeships “expand workforce opportunities for young people and create a pipeline of skilled employees receiving competitive wages.” Supporters lauded AB 643 as a measure to help ensure that apprenticeship programs have the same chance to present opportunities to students as colleges and other career options.
AB 643 will go into effect on January 1, 2022.
If you have questions about AB 643 or other apprenticeship program related issues, please contact your labor law counsel.
Author: Andrea Matsuoka