Employment Training Panel secures $50 million budget restoration for California workforce training

The Employment Training Panel (ETP) in California celebrated a significant funding victory during its July 2025 meeting, securing a restoration of $50 million to its reserve. This funding, alongside the preservation of $123 million in annual appropriations for the fiscal year 2025-2026, marks a crucial win for workforce training initiatives across the state.

Philip Herrera, a panel member, highlighted the achievement as a testament to the collaborative efforts of business, labor, government, and community colleges, emphasizing the importance of this funding in a challenging fiscal environment. The restored funds will directly support training programs in high-demand sectors such as trades, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and semiconductors, which are vital for California's economic future.

The implications of this funding are profound, as it will enable employers to enhance their workforce skills, support unions in apprenticeship programs, and ultimately help workers secure better wages and sustainable careers. This victory not only strengthens the ETP but also aligns with Governor Newsom's Jobs First economic blueprint, positioning the ETP as a key player in California's workforce development strategy.

The meeting also included public comments, with Rocio from CMTC congratulating Laura Campbell on her promotion and praising the ETP for its effective leadership. The session concluded without additional public comments, leaving attendees with a sense of accomplishment and a renewed commitment to advancing workforce training initiatives in the state.