WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - Yolo County is proud to announce its participation as the first pilot jurisdiction in the Bridge initiative, a new program launched by the Institute for Local Government (ILG).

This initiative aims to strengthen California’s local government workforce by creating Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in non-traditional fields, including human resources, accounting, information technology (IT), health and human services, and more.

“I’m thrilled that Yolo County will serve as an inaugural participant in ILG’s Bridge Public Sector Registered Apprenticeship program,” said Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Lucas Frerichs. “Apprenticeships have a long history of success in the construction trades, and I’m excited to bring this innovative model to support our broader local government workforce in Yolo County.”

Like many local governments across the state, Yolo County is facing significant workforce challenges, with recruitment and retention issues affecting nearly 70% of California’s cities, counties, and special districts. These challenges can lead to vacancies in essential roles, potentially disrupting services such as social services, permitting, and more. The Bridge initiative is designed to address this issue by providing innovative, community-based solutions to hire for high-demand, difficult-to-fill positions, while expanding career opportunities for underserved and underrepresented populations.

As the first confirmed pilot jurisdiction for the Bridge initiative, Yolo County will help test and implement non-traditional Registered Apprenticeship Programs over the next year. The program will focus on training and hiring individuals for a wide range of roles in local government, including positions in information technology, human resources and health services.

The Institute for Local Government will provide crucial support to Yolo County, including capacity building, grant writing, marketing assistance and technical guidance throughout the program’s development. Through this pilot, Yolo County will work closely with local education agencies, community-based organizations, and other partners to ensure the successful implementation of apprenticeship programs that align with the county’s workforce needs.

Yolo County’s participation in the Bridge initiative is a crucial step toward building a sustainable, skilled workforce capable of meeting the challenges of the future. As part of the pilot program, the county will lead the way in developing a scalable model for apprenticeships that can be adopted by other local governments across California. 

“Apprenticeships are a proven strategy to develop a resilient workforce while opening doors for underserved communities,” stated Erica Manuel, CEO and executive director of the Institute for Local Government. “The Bridge initiative brings this model to the public sector, ensuring local governments have the talent they need to meet the challenges of tomorrow. With Yolo County leading the way, we’re building a blueprint for other jurisdictions across California to follow.”

The Institute for Local Government is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that supports local governments with tackling their most pressing and evolving issues related to workforce development, climate action, leadership, ethics, and public engagement. Since 1955, the Institute for Local Government has provided conscious counsel, training, resources and technical assistance to empower and educate local agency leaders and deliver real-world expertise to help them navigate complex issues, increase their capacity, and build trust in their communities. As the nonprofit affiliate of the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties and the California Special Districts Association, ILG proudly serves municipalities large and small, urban and rural throughout California. Find out more at www.CA-ILG.org.