Through select sector focus and cross-system collaboration, Learning Lab is working toward a California public higher education system that offers accessible, streamlined, and future-facing pathways for students — while fueling the state’s economy with the next generation of innovators and skilled professionals.
Strengthening Pathways for California’s Evolving Workforce
Building California’s Resilient Workforce
Strengthening Pathways for California's Evolving Workforce
An Invite-only funding opportunity
As California’s economy evolves, so too must the pathways that connect students to opportunity.
Learning Lab is advancing targeted investments to help public higher education keep pace with rapid technological change and emerging workforce needs through its Building California’s Resilient Workforce (Resilient Workforce) initiative, in alignment with the Governor’s Master Plan for Career Education and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Vision 2030.
In Alignment With:
Governor’s Master Plan for Career Education
California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Vision 2030
Through strategic grantmaking, the Resilient Workforce initiative will support the development and scaling of stackable, short-term credentials and industry-recognized certificates, and expand pathways in high-demand or burgeoning fields. Learning Lab will help institutions respond with agility while maintaining a strong focus on student learning, equitable access, and contributing to the science of human learning with evidence-based data and research. With funding of up to $2 million for the initiative, Learning Lab intends to elevate models with strong potential for successful scaling.
The initiative is designed to support students – whether attending a California public college or university for the first-time or those returning to upskill – who seek training or credentials to access in-demand jobs in select sectors, with opportunities to explore continuing their education. Multiple pathways for pursuing individual job/career and educational goals reflect the reality that California’s workforce pathways are not linear. To this end, the initiative will leverage existing, regional and statewide initiatives across the CCC, CSU, and UC systems that are working in tandem to advance student success and streamline workforce and educational pathways.
The Resilient Workforce initiative is based upon extensive research on emerging workforce opportunities and the public higher education landscape in California. Learning Lab is soliciting proposals for funding by invite-only. Funding decisions made on a rolling basis will be announced as grants are awarded.
At a Glance
- Who it supports: First-time students and returning adult learners, including displaced workers
- Higher Education Systems: California Community Colleges, CSU, and UC
- Sectors: Engineering Technician & Semiconductor Manufacturing, Agricultural Technology, Quantum Science & Technology, and Public Interest Technology
- Funding: Invite-only proposals, awarded on a rolling basis
- Strategic Approach: Leverages existing regional and statewide initiatives to accelerate progress
Strategic Sector Focus
Based on its research of Career Technical Education programs, Learning Lab will fund projects within the following disciplines and sectors. These fields represent areas where technological advancement, workforce demand, and educational innovation intersect. By investing in institutions and partnerships with demonstrated momentum, Learning Lab seeks to accelerate progress rather than duplicate existing efforts.
Sector 01
Engineering Technician and Semiconductor Manufacturing
Sector 02
Agricultural Technology
Sector 03
Quantum Science and Technology
Sector 04
Public Interest Technology
Adapting Education to Expand Opportunities for Students
Who We Support
Public College and University Students
Learning Lab’s Resilient Workforce initiative is designed to support students seeking to gain in-demand skills and credentials, whether they are enrolling in a California public college or a university for the first time, working adults, or dislocated workers. The initiative aims to support multiple pathways to success by fostering the development and expansion of stackable courses, credentials, and certificates.
The Challenge
A Rapidly Changing Labor Market
California’s students are navigating a rapidly changing labor market shaped by automation, AI, advanced manufacturing, climate technologies, and public-interest innovation. Strengthening stackable and industry-aligned credentials is one part of Learning Lab’s broader mission to improve learning and close equity gaps for all students.
Expanding and Streamlining Pathways
1.
Develop or expand high-quality, credit-bearing short-term credentials
2.
Support the development of industry-recognized certificates and/or credentials
3.
Help to streamline pathways across California Community Colleges, CSU, and UC
4.
Strengthen collaboration between higher education and industry
5.
Advance research on student learning, student decision-making, and workforce alignment
Grant Information
01
Invite-Only
Resilient Workforce is accepting proposals for funding by invite-only.
02
Rolling Decisions
Funding decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year.
03
Public Announcements
Awards will be announced as grants are awarded. Check back here for updates.