What's Working

Photo illustration of a graduation cap, surrounded by angular vignettes of an Asian woman in scrubs on an Ipad, a closeup of a hand cutting hair, a man using a circular saw, a Black woman on the computer, a man pointing to a computer screen while talking to a woman, a Black woman driving a truck; the background shows a grid with some cells filled with a triangular caution sign and some filled with a checkmark

Data & Trackers

Is your California career college or training program legit? Check its license or violations

Use CalMatters’ lookup tool to see if a career college or training program is licensed or has faced disciplinary actions.

By

Ross Teixeira

,

Erica Yee

and

Adam Echelman

• April 4, 2025

Higher Education

How we’re helping students spot violations at California career colleges

It’s hard to find the disciplinary history of for-profit colleges regulated by California. CalMatters is making it easier.

By

Adam Echelman

,

Ross Teixeira

and

Erica Yee

• April 4, 2025

A student in a mechanic's outfit and safety goggles measures a part of a tractor engine on a table in a mechanic's classroom with other students watching.

Economy

A ‘missed opportunity’: Does Newsom’s plan to get Californians into better jobs do enough?

Gov. Gavin Newsom released the Master Plan for Career Education, which aims to get Californians into better jobs. Some legislators say it doesn’t go far enough and experts criticize many of its proposals.

By

Adam Echelman

• April 2, 2025

Three people wearing aprons and hair sets help pour an orange-colored salad dressing into a container in the kitchen of a cafe.

Commentary

How technology can lower barriers to employment for Californians with disabilities

Californians with disabilities face barriers that can seem insurmountable when they enter the workforce. New technology can break down barriers, but businesses need better planning and training.

By Matt Cherry • March 14, 2025

A person with black curly hair and wearing a brown shirt leans down as they touch a piece of robotic machine.

Commentary

On-the-job robotics training propels California teen toward a career in engineering

Nikhil Kaul, a Bay area high school senior, hopes his robotics apprenticeship will help him follow in the footsteps of his parents, who are both engineers.

By

Denise Amos

• March 11, 2025

Two construction workers at a job site between residential buildings, wearing safety gear. One person, in a pink and black jacket with an orange hard hat and headlamp, looks to the side. The other, wearing a neon yellow safety vest, white hard hat, and red gloves, looks downward. The setting sun casts long shadows, and a palm tree stands in the background.

Commentary

Equalizing opportunity: California group forms union to help Black carpenters, apprentices

Historically, Black carpenters faced discrimination by predominantly white unions. Now in California the unions are mostly Latino, but Blacks face similar obstacles.

By Abdur-Rahim Hameed • February 14, 2025

A close up view of a person wearing a green welding jacket and black helmet.

Commentary

‘Just for a man’: Ex-apprentice explains why she’s one of the few female ironworkers in California

Rocio Campos completed a four-year apprenticeship but still feels she has to prove herself. It shouldn't be so hard for women to get ironwork jobs, she says.

By

Denise Amos

• February 3, 2025

Commentary

On-the-job training helps California intern see herself as a future transit CEO

Viviana Mendoza used to hope to be like her father, a bus attendant who cleans LA Metro buses. As an intern in the Metro CEO’s office, she now dreams of running the transit agency.

By

Denise Amos

• January 22, 2025

A firefighter wearing full protective gear, including a helmet and respirator, bends down to operate a power saw on a wet asphalt surface. In the background, other firefighters work near a white car surrounded by smoke, holding hoses and wearing similar gear. The scene takes place outdoors under a clear sky, with utility poles and trees visible in the distance.

Education

Fact check: Did Gavin Newsom really help create 625,000 new job opportunities in California?

In 2018, Newsom promised to add 500,000 new apprenticeships in the decade after taking office. The state is making progress, but how much depends on the definition of “apprenticeship.”

By

Adam Echelman

• January 21, 2025

A teacher hands a piece of a banana to a toddler sitting near a small wooden table next to other toddlers at a daycare. Different colored sippy cups can been seen on the table.

Economy

Employers use onsite daycare to attract employees

Some large employers have started offering onsite daycare services as a perk to attract employees.

By

Zayna Syed

• January 10, 2025

What’s Working