As part of California’s Apprenticeship Appreciation Week in April, UNITE-LA participated in a series of statewide convenings advancing equitable, career-connected learning and stronger workforce systems for Californians.

At the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, UNITE-LA joined advocates, policymakers and workforce leaders for NextGen’s Policy Activation Session following WORKCON, an interactive convening focused on expanding access to high-quality apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities. During the session, UNITE-LA helped elevate AB 805, legislation aimed at strengthening youth apprenticeship pathways for young people, ages 16-24, by supporting regional partnerships, addressing barriers to employer participation and improving systemwide accountability. The bill reflects growing momentum around paid, career-connected learning as a key strategy for advancing economic mobility and workforce development in California.

If enacted, AB 805 would help strengthen California's youth apprenticeship infrastructure and expand meaningful career pathways for young people statewide. As California continues investing in workforce innovation, expanding access to paid, work-based learning remains critical to building a more inclusive and effective workforce system. If you or your organization is interested in supporting this effort, we encourage you to sign on and help move AB 805 forward, advancing meaningful career pathways for youth across California.

UNITE-LA also led a session at WORKCON 2026, hosted by the California Workforce Association in partnership with Jobs for the Future (JFF) and the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), focused on how California's workforce systems can better support immigrant workers. The discussion brought together statewide workforce leaders to examine how systems must adapt to shifting labor market conditions, economic pressures and immigration policy changes.

Drawing on research and cross-sector expertise, speakers emphasized that immigrant and multilingual workers are essential to California's economic success and that workforce systems must evolve to better recognize, invest in and support their contributions. The conversation also highlighted the importance of stronger coordination across employers, training providers and public agencies, as well as the role of data and storytelling in making worker experiences more visible in policy and practice.

Across both convenings, a clear theme emerged: building a more inclusive and effective workforce system requires aligned policy, strong cross-sector partnerships and continued investment in pathways that connect Californians to quality careers.