Did you know over 7 million adults in California don’t have a college degree?
That often means lower pay and fewer job opportunities. But Governor Gavin Newsom has a new plan to change that!
Standing in a welding classroom at Shasta College, Newsom announced the Master Plan for Career Education, which aims to fix California’s messy job training programs.
The goal? Help people find better jobs without needing a fancy college degree.
What’s in the Plan?
- Turn Work into College Credit: California’s 116 community colleges want to help 250,000 students earn college credits for real-world work experience. The state will invest more money into this effort.
- New Career Passports: A “Career Passport” will help workers show off their skills and experience, even if they don’t have a degree. These passports will also boost apprenticeships, helping people learn on the job.
- More Jobs, No Degree Needed: Last year, the state removed education requirements for 30,000 jobs. Now, Newsom plans to do the same for another 30,000 jobs next year!
Still a Long Way to Go
Not everyone agrees it’s enough. A proposed law to remove degree requirements for most state jobs didn’t pass this year.
If it had, it would have forced California to rethink qualifications for about 200,000 jobs.
Still, this plan is a big step forward for millions of Californians looking for better pay and opportunities without the need for a diploma!