San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE), in partnership with the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP), is now accepting applications for two Spring 2026 cohorts of the Apprenticeship Readiness Program (ARP), a 9-week, industry-aligned training program designed to prepare individuals for high-demand careers in the union construction trades.

Both Spring 2026 ARP cohorts will run January 26 through March 26, 2026, at SDCCE’s Educational Cultural Complex in Southeastern San Diego, and a designated all female cohort at Cesar Chavez Campus in Barrio Logan. Application screenings will take place from December 8, 2025 through January 9, 2026. Due to high demand, interested participants are encouraged to apply early. Applicants must be 18 or older, live in San Diego or Imperial County, and be eligible to work in the U.S.

The program arrives at a critical time for the region’s workforce. According to SDWP, over 40% of San Diego’s construction workers are expected to retire within the next decade, creating significant openings across the industry. Construction workers in San Diego County earn an average salary of $55,563, with even higher earning potential in specialized trades.

In partnership with SDCCE and SDWP, the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council provides instructors who deliver the industry-standard MC3 curriculum, preparing participants for union entrance exams and real-world job expectations. Each cohort accepts up to 25 students from San Diego and Imperial counties, who complete the full Multi-Craft Core Curriculum, earn seven industry-recognized certifications including OSHA 30-hour and CPR, as well as receive trade-specific math preparation. By graduation, students are fully equipped and competitive candidates for apprenticeships across 23 high-demand union construction trades.

In addition to work-readiness training, participants receive job placement assistance, educational support, and a range of supportive services, including childcare, transportation, and essential work supplies. Students also gain exposure to the industry through guest speakers from union partners and field trips to job sites and training centers throughout San Diego.

For many graduates, the impact has been life-changing. Fall 2025 graduate Jessica Albright, 38, who is now pursuing a carpentry apprenticeship, shared, “To be a part of the Apprenticeship Readiness Program is truly a great honor and I am very grateful for this opportunity. This whole experience has been mind-blowing. The program teaches you to persist against all odds.”

Applications can be submitted through the San Diego Workforce Partnership at:
workforce.org/ARPSDCCE