Santa Cruz Workforce Development

The Santa Cruz workforce development program aims to support community members seeking jobs and career opportunities in the skilled trades. Its goals are to raise awareness of locally available positions in the skilled trades, fill vacant skilled trades positions in the county, and crate a pipeline of qualified talent ready to fill jobs in construction, building, solar, electrical, plumbing, welding, HVAC, carpentry, agriculture and more.

Upcoming Events

Plans are underway for future events. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to provide opportunities to discover, learn, and connect in the trades and construction industry! 

Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

Santa Cruz County Office of Education Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is proud to offer a career pathway into the Building Trades sector. This 10 week NO COST program is an intensive hands-on program designed to prepare adult students for entry into a fulfilling career that includes great potential for growth. The program's winter cohort will begin interviews on 1/7/25 for the 1/27/25 start date. LEARN MORE

Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult Education Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship

This pre-apprenticeship course is a basic introduction to the essential fundamentals of the crafts in the construction industry. Students will gain and overview of the construction industry, the role of an apprentice, union membership, interview skills, and more. The objective of this course is to prepare pre-apprentices toward the pathway of the Building Trades Apprenticeship programs by exposing students to the fundamentals of the construction industry. LEARN MORE.

Short-Term Training and Certificates

Cabrillo College Building Trades and Construction Short-Term Training

The Building and Construction Trades pathway encompasses four career pathways:

Cabinetry, Millwork, and Woodworking; Engineering and Heavy Construction; Mechanical Systems Installation and Repair; and Residential and Commercial Construction. These pathways emphasize processes, systems, and the way in which structures are built. The knowledge and skills are acquired in a sequential, standards-based program that integrates hands-on, project-based, and work-based instruction. LERAN MORE