Dear Partners,

In April, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his administration released the Master Plan for Career Education (Plan), a bold step toward reimagining how California prepares its learners for an evolving economy. The Plan rightly recognizes that our education and workforce systems must be more cohesive, inclusive and responsive to meet the needs of both individuals and industry.

At UNITE-LA, we have long championed systems change, understanding that collaborative, aligned structures are critical to equitably serving communities across the state. We were honored to co-host the Los Angeles/Orange County Plan design session—one of eight in-person regional design sessions—in March of last year, as well as numerous subsequent virtual sessions engaging Los Angeles’ education and business sectors. The Master Plan for Career Education represents an important shift toward integrated, cross-sector solutions that can expand opportunity and economic mobility for Californians. From dual enrollment and apprenticeships to skills-based hiring and earn-and-learn pathways, the Plan reflects the kinds of strategies we’ve seen succeed in regional efforts like the L.A. Region K-16 Collaborative and L.A. Jobs First Initiative.

With the recent release of the May Revise, the governor contended with a difficult budget situation while maintaining a commitment to the Plan’s innovative and student-centered proposals. However, proposed cuts undermine the intent of the Plan and its ability to chart a new course for the state’s economic future. The reduction to $25 million in one-time funding for a statewide career passport and to $15 million in the 2025–26 budget (and $5 million ongoing) to maintain a credit for prior learning structure will not achieve the goals of statewide establishment and long-term maintenance.

UNITE-LA, an established intermediary and convener of education and workforce systems, is encouraged by the state legislature’s inclusion of $5 million in ongoing funding in its unified budget to support state-level coordination of higher education and workforce systems. This marks a pivotal step toward making California’s career education systems more seamless, equitable and effective, ensuring public investments yield stronger outcomes for learners, employers and communities alike. However, as final budget negotiations unfold, it is critical that this funding remains intact to fulfill the promise of the Governor’s Master Plan for Career Education. Robust coordination, both statewide and regional, is essential to delivering on the Plan’s vision and ensuring long-term, systems-level impact.

We urge continued collaboration among the state, employers, education leaders and community-based organizations to properly fund and fulfill the Plan. Lasting systems change requires shared ownership and consistent investment. We’re proud to have played a role in shaping this Plan and stand ready to move this work forward—together. UNITE-LA is committed to working alongside Gov. Newsom’s administration, the state legislature and statewide partners to ensure these strategies create accessible, equitable and sustainable pathways to success for our rising workforce.

For more information on the Master Plan for Career Education, please click here for UNITE-LA's analysis and information on how it connects to our work and be on the lookout for our next Education Means Business webinar on the topic. For our full statement in response to the May Revise, visit our website.

In partnership,

Alysia Bell
President, UNITE-LA