Our pre-apprenticeship journey began in 2019 when Back 2 Work partnered with a local tech company in the Central Valley to deliver a 14-week Salesforce course. That first cohort gave individuals from underserved communities a foot in the door to the tech industry, building skills in software application design, development, and maintenance—while also building confidence and a sense of belonging in a field that often felt out of reach.

 

With support from the California Apprenticeship Initiative (CAI) through the Chancellor’s Office, we expanded quickly. What began with one cohort has now grown into a statewide effort, connecting Back 2 Work participants to Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in tech, automotive, manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare. Our model, developed in partnership with Feather River College, blends career readiness workshops with credit-bearing coursework so participants can build skills and college momentum at the same time.

 

To date, we’ve successfully launched eight cohorts, training 105 individuals across the state. We’ve delivered trainings in collaboration with Urban Corps, Greater Valley Conservation Corps, and SER-Jobs for Progress, Inc. in the San Joaquin Valley tailoring our approach to fit local needs while keeping equity and employment outcomes at the center.

 

One standout milestone was our first in-custody cohort at TURN Behavioral Health Services’ , a facility serving adult women. Assistant Director RayAnn Cruz and Operations Coordinator Kristen Rocha led the charge with an 80-hour training titled Empowerment Essentials: Transforming Mindset, Communication, and Leadership for Administrative Excellence. The course combined foundational IT and admin skills with a strong focus on soft skill development like communication, teamwork, and critical thinking so participants walked away with tools to succeed both on the job and in life.

 

We’re not just offering training we’re creating pathways. We’re bridging gaps. And we’re doing it with purpose, partnership, and a whole lot of grit.