1. Apprenticeship Standards

Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship (ERiCA) Grant

The Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship (ERiCA) Grant is transformative funding designed to increase equitable access to building and construction career pathways for women, non-binary individuals, and underrepresented populations in California. Administered by the California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS), the ERiCA Grant is dedicated funding aimed at dismantling barriers that disproportionately prevent women from entering and thriving in the construction industry.

DAS has announced the availability of $13,000,000 in funds for the ERiCA Grant Program Year 2025-27 (PY 25-27). The grant performance period is expected to be June 30, 2025 - June 30, 2027.  This is the second round of the ERiCA grant.  With the successful implementation of the first round of the grant, the DAS will continue its efforts to expand access to apprenticeship opportunities in construction for populations that are underrepresented.  

DAS awarded $25 million during the first round of the ERICA grant (PY 2023-2025) to improve access to training and employment opportunities for underserved populations in construction trades throughout the state, by providing supportive resources for childcare along with outreach to and community building among underserved populations. The second round of the ERiCA grant (PY 2025-2027)will build upon the successes of its first-round efforts, strengthening its commitment to building a construction workforce that mirrors California’s diversity.

View the full list of first round ERICA grant awardees (PY 2023-2025) in the Awardees section below.

Timeline

Applications open: January 13, 2025
Applications close: March 12, 2025, 12:00 pm PST

ERiCA Grant Round 2 (PY 2025-2027) Application Process

All inquiries and proposals must be submitted by the dates listed in the box below

Action Dates

Funding Details

Type of funding: Grant

Estimated total funding: $13,000,000 (July 2025 - June 2027)

Award amount:

Recruitment  - $100,000 - $500,000

• This category of funding is designed to bolster outreach to women, non-binary individuals, and underrepresented populations interested in careers in the building/construction industry.

Childcare - $200,000 - $1,500,000

• Pre-apprenticeship: $5,000 per eligible apprentice in a registered pre-apprenticeship program, or
• Apprenticeship: $10,000 per eligible apprentice in a registered apprenticeship program
• Proposals under this category of funding must identify how many eligible participants the grant will support. Applicants for childcare funding MUST also apply for Recruitment funding and provide recruitment/outreach services as outlined in the Recruitment category.   

Worksite Culture - $100,000 - $500,000

• This is a new category of funding focused on improving the worksite culture surrounding construction trades apprenticeships. The focus is both on mentoring, community building and mental health supports for apprentices, along with training for both apprentices and also journey workers, contractors and managers on a worksite to improve the culture of the worksite. Trainings and support should focus on mental health, anti-harassment and antidiscrimination training.​

Eligible applicants:

• All applicants must either be a DAS Registered Apprenticeship or Pre-Apprenticeship program or be in collaboration with one, validated with letters of support.
• Eligible Grant applicants must have a demonstrated history of operating at least two pre-apprentice or apprentice cohorts focusing on equity and inclusion of underrepresented populations in the building/construction industry over the past four years; or marketed, recruited or advocated for women or non-binary individuals in state registered construction pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.

• Entities that received the first round of ERiCA Funding for any category is only eligible for this round of ERiCA Funding if they have passed the annual review as of Dec 31, 2024.
• Eligible Entity types include:
• Non-profits
• Community-based Organizations
• Local Education Agencies
• Workforce Boards
• Unions
• State Registered construction apprenticeship & pre-apprenticeship program sponsors

Sector: Building and Construction

Target population: The objective of this grant is to increase equitable access to building and construction career pathways for women, non-binary individuals, and underrepresented populations in California.

Required partners: DAS Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Programs or DAS Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Contact: DASGrantUnit@dir.ca.gov

Application Materials

ERiCA Grant Round 2 - PY 2025-2027 Resources for Applying

• Solicitation for Proposals (SFP) – ERiCA Round 2
• Notification of SFP Amendment – 02-2025
• FAQ ERiCA Round 2

Application Process

All applications are required to be submitted online using the California Outreach Rapid Deployment (CORD) platform. To begin the application submission process through CORD, please follow the steps outlined below.

• Step 1: Create an account on CORD by visiting www.cordhub.org. 
• Step 2: During the registration, provide your business or organizational email address, as well as your first and last name. 
• Step 3: Once logged in, navigate to the "Networks" menu and click on “My Applications”. Click on "Start New Application" to begin the process. 
• Step 4:Click on “Apply Now” for any of the following options:
• DAS ERiCA Grant Program 2025-27 – Recruitment
• DAS ERiCA Grant Program 2025-27 – Worksite Culture
• DAS ERiCA Grant Program 2025-27 – Childcare

Every applicant must set up an account with CORD. To apply for the grant, please complete and submit a proposal for each category you are interested in. All necessary application materials and uploads should be done via the CORD platform.

All applications must be completed and submitted via the California Outreach Rapid Deployment (CORD) platform by March 12, 2025 at 12:00 pm PST.

Other CORD Resources:

• For a step-by-step guide on how to register and link your account to a business or organization, check out this guide.​​
• ​For a recorded version of the guide, click here.​​
• ​For commonly asked questions and responses, click here.​​
• ​For inquiries about the program, email dasgrantunit@dir.ca.gov. ​

Register here for CORD Office Hours for technical support

Video Announcement

Build Your Career: Explore Apprenticeship Opportunities for Women in Construction

California is committed to leading in the advancement of apprenticeship opportunities that resonate with today’s demands, ensuring our programs are accessible to all, and preparing apprentices for the top-paying jobs of tomorrow. Exploring ERiCA grantee web pages is a fantastic way to find comprehensive information about apprenticeship programs designed to empower women to enter and thrive in construction careers. Start your career exploration in the construction trades today!

March 2025