1. Apprenticeship Standards

California Apprenticeship Council (CAC) Training Funds

Contractors on public works projects must pay training fund contributions as required by California Labor Code §1777.5. These contributions help ensure new apprentices receive high-quality training and that skilled trades continue as journeypersons retire.

Each year, the California Apprenticeship Council distributes these funds as grants to approved multi-employer apprenticeship programs who serve the same craft or trade and geographical area where the training contributions were made.

Programs applying for this grant must maintain detailed records of all expenses, including invoices, receipts, and canceled checks. These records must be made available for review by the Department of Industrial Relations to verify that grant funds are used only for training apprentices.

View the complete list of 2025 Awardees.

Timeline

Action Dates

Applications for training fund grants open annually in the third quarter (July-September).

Funding Details

Type of funding: Formula

Estimated total funding: $20 million

Award amount: Eligible apprenticeship programs will receive a formal notification of the grant funds they have been allocated for the FY 2026-2027 cycle. This notification will include a detailed breakdown of grant amounts by occupation, along with instructions to apply for the program’s allocated funds.

Application Process

Step 1: Create an account on CORD by visiting www.cordconnect.org. 
Step 2a: Click Register a New Account and follow the instructions. 
Step 2b: Enter the registered email address for your organization
Step 3: Once logged in, navigate to the "My Network Applications" menu. Click on the “Edit” button for the “CAC 2026" application for the appropriate program, or click the “Start New Application” to begin the process.

More Information

Eligible entities: DAS registered Multi-employer Programs in the Building & Construction Trades

CAC Training Funds Guidance on Applications for Reimbursement Funding

Contact: Trainingfundgrants@dir.ca.gov

Target population: Distribute training contributions by making grants to approved apprenticeship programs for the purpose of training apprentices.

Required partners: N/A

Awardees

The CAC Training Fund has grown from $3 million to $20 million annually, a nearly sevenfold increase, allowing apprenticeship programs to expand training capacity, invest in essential equipment, strengthen recruitment, develop updated curriculum, and provide instructor training to meet evolving industry needs. Funds are awarded as grants that reimburse apprenticeship programs for hands-on training costs.

Revised July 23, 2026