High Road to Construction Careers Grant Program

The High Road to Construction Careers Grant Program is administered by the California Workforce Development Board in partnership with the California Department of Transportation as part of the California Jobs First Initiative. This program is designed to support workforce development efforts tied to public infrastructure and construction projects across California. The initiative builds on prior High Road Construction Careers investments and aims to strengthen regional workforce pipelines that align with labor market demand in the construction sector. The program prioritizes economic development and workforce access for underserved populations while ensuring alignment with state infrastructure priorities. The purpose of the HRCC program is to expand access to quality construction careers while addressing labor shortages in public works and infrastructure projects. The program focuses on training workers to meet hiring demand, supporting entry into joint apprenticeship programs, and improving economic mobility for individuals facing barriers to employment. Target populations include women, veterans, and justice-involved individuals, among others. By aligning workforce training with employer needs, the program seeks to create sustainable career pathways and promote inclusive economic growth across regions. Funding for the HRCC 2026 program is distributed across two rounds. Round One provides $8 million in funding exclusively to existing HRCC regions and grantees. This round functions as a transitional bridge between the prior Resilient Workforce Fund program and the forthcoming competitive Round Two. Allocations in Round One are predetermined based on each region’s prior spending performance, specifically using invoice data through December 2025. Applicants are required to request and apply for the exact funding amount specified in the official allocation table and cannot propose alternative budgets. Funds are distributed through a reimbursement model and are intended to maintain existing service levels during the transition period. Round Two is expected to distribute approximately $19 million through a competitive solicitation process during the 2026–27 state fiscal year. This future round will consider regional hiring demand and past performance metrics, including compliance with reporting requirements and participant data collection under prior grants. Additional details regarding eligibility, evaluation criteria, and funding allocations for Round Two will be released separately and are subject to change. The program emphasizes accountability and performance, with evaluation factors including program outcomes and adherence to administrative requirements. Eligible applicants for Round One are limited to existing HRCC regions, which may include entities such as businesses, individuals, nonprofit organizations, and tribal governments that are part of those regional partnerships. The application process requires applicants to first request access through an Application Access form and then submit their application via the Cal-E-Grants system. No letter of intent or matching funds are required for this round. The application deadline for Round One is May 6, 2026, with award announcements expected later in May 2026. The period of performance ranges from eight to eighteen months. Program administration includes support for applicants through a designated contact provided by the California Workforce Development Board. Questions regarding the grant can be directed to the program’s solicitation contact via phone or email. The program operates statewide across California and is intended to support regional workforce systems that align with infrastructure development needs. Overall, the HRCC program represents a strategic investment in workforce development, economic inclusion, and infrastructure readiness within the state.

Ensure the requested funding amount matches the predetermined allocation and maintain compliance with prior HRCC reporting requirements.