AB 735: Workforce development: utility careers.

(1)Existing law, the California Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, requires the California Workforce Development Board to assist the Governor in the development of a high road economy that offers an educated and skilled workforce with fair compensation and treatment in the workplace. In this regard, existing law requires the board to assist in the administration, promotion, and expansion of, as well as field assistance for, high road training partnerships, as defined.

This bill would establish the High Road Utility Careers (HRUC) program, to be administered by the board, to connect existing resources with individuals interested in careers in the utility sector and ensure a continued reliable workforce for California utilities. The bill would require the board to administer the HRUC program through partnerships with statewide water, wastewater, and energy utility associations and to coordinate the program with existing and future programs and initiatives administered by the board, including high road training partnerships, in order to align interested individuals with available resources. The bill would require the HRUC program, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to dedicate funding and resources toward accomplishing specified goals, including connecting workers to high-quality jobs or entry-level work with defined routes to advancement and increasing skills and opportunities while expanding pipelines for low-income populations.

(2)Existing law requires the State Department of Education to develop a career guidance model for science and technology for use in school district counseling programs in order to provide information to pupils in grades 7 through 12, regarding the potential for employment, educational requirements, and other matters pertaining to careers in the fields of science and technology.

This bill would require the department, by January 1, 2025, to partner with regional and statewide trade associations, among other groups, to develop and distribute informational materials for career guidance to pupils in grades 9 through 12, regarding the potential for employment, educational requirements, and other matters pertaining to careers in these utilities.