BUILD CA L I F ORNI A


Build California Leverages Supportive Services with Industry Partners to Spur Construction Workforce Growth


BY CAROL EATON W


hether it’s competitive wages and benefits, job security driven by high demand for


skilled workers, or simply the satisfaction of delivering something tangible that can benefit their community, the construc- tion industry offers plenty of incentives for those seeking rewarding, sustainable career prospects. But some individuals—especially women and underserved populations— face major barriers that can prevent them from reaping the long-term benefits of a construction career. Te lack of affordable childcare still ranks among the leading reasons women cite for leaving the work- force. Transportation to and from work, tool and equipment costs, and other


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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026


expenses pose additional roadblocks for workers just getting by while trying to complete an apprenticeship program or pursue other pathways into the industry. Without addressing these issues, the


industry’s chronic workforce shortage problem will persist. Build California has taken the lead in


delivering viable solutions. Together with industry partners such as the Northern California Laborers Training & Retrain- ing Center and the Southern California Laborers Training School, and backed by California Department of Industrial Relations’ (DIR) Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship (ERiCA) grant, Build California is providing an array of supportive services solutions to


help participants successfully pursue and maintain construction careers.


ERiCA Grant Delivering Results Last year, the DIR awarded AGC Con- struction Education Foundation a $2.5 million ERiCA grant designed to support the nonprofit’s mission in the areas of recruitment, childcare and workplace culture. Tis grant enabled the AGC CEF’s Build California program to administer $1.2 million in direct childcare stipends to support female, nonbinary and un- derrepresented pre-apprentices and apprentices, helping remove caregiving as a barrier to participation and retention. Since launching the childcare program in January 2026, Build California has


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