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Since 2024, the San Diego & Imperial Center of Excellence (COE) has assessed the apprenticeship landscape and identified challenges to expanding registered apprenticeships across the region. In our latest report, Regional Responses: Overcoming Barriers to Apprenticeship Development, we

revisit those findings to examine how the landscape has evolved, document the progress community colleges have made in expanding apprenticeship capacity, and highlight resources the San Diego & Imperial Regional Consortium has developed to address persistent challenges.

Learn more below!

APPRENTICESHIP LANDSCAPE

1️⃣ The region is expanding apprenticeship opportunities into new industries.



Although Energy, Construction, and Utilities (ECU) remains the largest apprenticeship sector, community colleges have expanded into other sectors, including Advanced Transportation and Logistics; Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) / Digital Media; and Advanced Manufacturing.

Registered Community College Apprenticeship Programs by Sector

2️⃣ Building institutional capacity remains critical to expansion.

To date, the San Diego & Imperial Community Colleges reported 40 registered apprenticeships and 11 pre-apprenticeship programs. Among them, Imperial Valley College had the largest number of registered apprenticeships, while MiraCosta College had the largest number of pre-apprenticeship programs. Colleges with dedicated staffing, strong employer partnerships, and institutional prioritization reported the greatest success in developing programs.

Registered Community College Apprenticeship Programs by College

3️⃣ Employer engagement continues to be the region's greatest challenge.

Employers outside the traditional trades often lack familiarity with apprenticeship models or express concerns about administrative requirements and long-term commitments.

4️⃣ The Regional Consortium developed resources to help colleges overcome persistent barriers.

The San Diego & Imperial Regional Consortium has fostered collaboration through the LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network and developed practical resources, including an Employer Field Guide, an apprenticeship community of practice, and a regional apprenticeship repository to support colleges across the region.

REGIONAL RESOURCES TO SUPPORT EXPANSION

New Data Tool: Apprenticeship Dashboard

The Apprenticeships in San Diego County Dashboard provides an interactive overview of 78 high-wage, high-demand apprenticeable occupations and apprenticeship programs. Explore occupational profiles, workforce demographics, AI resilience, retirement pressure, and related education and training programs to better understand opportunities for apprenticeship development and workforce planning.

ICYMI: A Look Back at High-Opportunity Occupations

In case you missed it, earlier this year the San Diego & Imperial COE released Expanding Apprenticeships in San Diego County, a report designed to help educators, employers, and workforce partners identify the occupations with the greater potential for apprenticeship expansion.

Join us for a special webinar as we present the report's key findings, including how two key labor market indicators trends—an aging workforce and the growing influence of AI—can help prioritize apprenticeship investments.

Meeting Details:

 📆 Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026

 🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

 📍Location: Zoom (registration required)

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL COE

The San Diego & Imperial COE supports program development and strategic planning at the San Diego & Imperial Community Colleges through research and training. The COE is funded in part by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office through the Economic and Workforce Development Program and Strong Workforce Program.

Tina Ngo Bartel

Executive Director

Robert Chu

Regional Programs Manager

John Edwards

Research Analyst

Tasi Matthews

Regional Professional Development Manager