Local 1000 pioneering innovative approach to career development

With a mind toward fulfilling our purpose statement— and giving all members the opportunity to have a good life, live in sustainable communities and enjoy the fruits of social, economic and environmental justice, our union has worked to create new and innovative apprentice program opportunities.

Apprenticeships couple on-the-job training with related study and instruction in order to increase workers’ skills and allow them to be more competitive in the job market.

Traditionally, “apprenticeship” applies to trade jobs, like carpenter or sheet metal worker. Local 1000 has already created ground-breaking apprenticeships in non-traditional areas like health care and information technology and is working to expand into other areas.

We’re partnering with the state’s Government Operations Agency, Labor and Workforce Development Agency and a score of other departments, including EDD, DMV, CDCR, CDTFA andCHP.

The programs are cost-free for those accepted with classwork paid for by grants secured through the joint efforts of Local 1000 and educational partners including Mission College, San Joaquin Delta College and Sacramento City College.

LVN to RN Apprenticeship

In 2017, the very first LVN to RN civil service apprenticeship program in the country was launched, offering upward mobility to Unit 20 health care workers. Already, 36 apprentices have been registered, and the first to graduate are now working as registered nurses. Another seven apprentices are expected to graduate in May of this year.

Information Technology Apprenticeship

Another first—this time, the first public sector IT apprenticeship program with a networking focus, also launched in 2017. 16 apprentices have been registered so far, and they receive on-the-job training as well as 24 units of college instruction. Two of our apprentices have already received promotions into their sought-after IT classifications.

Looking ahead

Our union is in the formative stages of new apprenticeships, in cybersecurity, PC support and financial services, as well as providing new career pathways for the custodians we represent.