SANDAG developed the Workforce Opportunities for Rising Careers (WORC) program, which is a workforce development program that focuses on creating career opportunities for individuals with a disadvantaged or low-income background, and/or workers who are facing barriers to employment in the San Diego region. The purpose of WORC is to expand workforce opportunities and achieve equity through the SANDAG Community Benefits Agreement, Apprenticeship Readiness Program, and other workforce initiatives.
Stated in our Commitment to Equity statement, we firmly uphold equity and inclusion for every person in the San Diego region. Implementing the WORC program allows SANDAG to uphold equity in our workforce by paving career pathways for disadvantaged individuals, including homeless, formerly incarcerated, those on public assistance, and other under-represented populations.
Apprenticeship Readiness Program
SANDAG is a recipient of SB 1 funding from the State and is required “to participate in, invest in, or partner with new or existing pre-apprenticeship training programs.” SANDAG has partnered with the San Diego Workforce Partnership, San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council, and San Diego Continuing Education Foundation to develop the Apprenticeship Readiness Program (ARP).
The ARP is a fast track for pre-apprentices to become apprentices in the building and construction trades industry. The students participate in a 10-week (full-time) or 16-week (part-time) training program that includes a Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3), college and career readiness classes, certifications including OSHA 10, CPR/First Aid, and more. Additionally, the ARP provides stipends through an earn-and-learn strategy, which are essential to the success of students. The program assists individuals with career counseling, resume building, job applications, practice interviews, apprenticeship entrance exam readiness, and college and financial aid applications.
Learn More and ApplyFor more information, contact sandagcba@sandag.org or 619.533.7998.