Quick look: OCDE and UC Irvine are converting existing student internships into registered apprenticeships, giving participants paid experience plus industry-recognized credentials. Backed by state funding, the partnership supports California’s goal of 500,000 apprentices by 2029 while opening pathways into high-demand careers in education, business and the arts.
The Orange County Department of Education and the University of California, Irvine are partnering on a youth apprenticeship program that blends academic learning with paid, hands-on experience — and supports California’s goal of creating 500,000 registered apprentices by 2029.
Backed by seed funding from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the initiative is part of a statewide effort to expand apprenticeships beyond traditional trades and into high-demand fields like education, business, arts, and technical services. Apprentices will be hired into paid positions while receiving targeted instruction, gaining both technical expertise and the “essential skills” employers say are critical for long-term success.
“When education and industry work hand in hand, students gain more than a paycheck — they gain a pathway to purpose,” said Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean. “Apprenticeships are about unlocking potential, building skills that last a lifetime and ensuring our young people are ready to lead in a rapidly changing world. This partnership with UC Irvine reflects our shared commitment to preparing the next generation not only for jobs, but for meaningful, impactful careers.”
“At UC Irvine, we believe education is most powerful when it connects learning with lived experience,” said Suzanne Helbig, associate vice provost, UC Irvine Division of Career Pathways. “Through these apprenticeships, students will apply their knowledge in real-world settings, gain confidence in their abilities and build networks that open doors long after graduation.”
How the program is structured
OCDE will serve as the registered sponsor for the apprenticeship program, ensuring compliance with state and federal standards. The work is being coordinated through OCDE’s Career Education unit in partnership with OC Pathways, which brings together educators and industry leaders to prepare students for college and careers.
UC Irvine, recognized nationally for its research and innovation while ranking among Orange County’s largest employers, will act as both a host site and a connector to other local employers, creating pathways for students to gain experience in a variety of industries.
Students have the chance to participate in one of two apprenticeship tracks led by UC Irvine departments:
- Division of Career Pathways: This track is open to current UC Irvine students. Recruitment takes place in the spring to prepare students to begin their roles in the fall, though occasional openings may still be available. Positions include roles such as marketing assistant and peer educator, giving students valuable exposure to professional environments on campus. Applications are submitted through Handshake, UC Irvine’s career services job board.
- Claire Trevor School of the Arts: This track is for undergraduate and graduate arts majors in art, dance, drama or music. It places students in one of two programs — Creative Connections, where students work in arts education roles as teaching artists, and Arts Launch, where students work in arts management roles, such as operations or marketing coordinator. In both, students get hands-on experience working with arts and education-related employers. Applications open each April and close in June for the following academic year, and the 2025-26 cohorts have already been selected.
Although these programs were already established as paid internships at UC Irvine, OCDE’s sponsorship is transforming them into registered apprenticeships — a shift that adds industry-recognized credentials and structured career pathways on top of paid work experience. OC Pathways leaders say it’s the first partnership in California where a county office of education and a UC campus have converted internships into registered apprenticeships.
Meeting workforce needs
Labor market research from the Orange County Center of Excellence indicates that technical theater roles in Los Angeles and Orange counties alone generate about 1,450 openings annually, with related skills transferable to more than 20,000 additional positions.
Meanwhile, education and business remain among the region’s fastest-growing industries, with entry-level roles such as instructional assistant, office assistant, and student services assistant offering strong career pathways.
California has prioritized apprenticeships as a strategy for workforce development. In July 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration introduced a five-point plan to expand opportunities for young people, increase access for underrepresented groups and strengthen regional partnerships.