More than a decade ago, a partnership of Fresno-area labor and workforce leaders launched a pre-apprenticeship training program introducing students to careers in building and construction trades. The innovative classes were backed by real-life career and apprenticeship opportunities. The Multi-Craft Pre-Apprenticeship Program became a model for training skilled workers for the demands of California’s construction projects.
In 2020, the partnership grew in thanks to Senate Bill 1 (SB1). Grant funding under this bill, focused on rebuilding and improving California streets, freeways, bridges, transit, and other transportation corridors. A portion of SB1 was devoted to workforce training programs such as ValleyBuild, which was awarded funds to served roughly 275 people in pre-apprenticeship training. Under this expansion, ValleyBuild was able to widen its service area to the 14 counties in the Central Valley and surrounding area.
Today, ValleyBuild continues to serve its communities and strive towards its vision of equity and inclusion in the construction industry marked through innovated practices that promote a pathway to a stable career and the middle class.
Grants that will be used to serve over 700 Central Valley residents
Apprenticeships projected to be created under current funding
Success rate of participants completing training
To impact the construction industry by driving equity and opportunity through MC3 Apprenticeship Readiness Training.
To provide apprenticeship pathways for anyone determined to change their circumstances.
We are committed to upholding our core values:
Partners in ValleyBuild include the Building Trades Councils in a 14-county area; Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees throughout the region; MC3 providers; seven workforce development boards in the region; The Rios Company; Tradeswomen, Inc.; and community-based organizations that help recruit for the program.
The Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board is the fiscal and administrative agent for the program, and the primary model is a training program launched in Fresno more than a decade ago.
| Funding Source | Grant Name | Amount | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economic Development Agency | Good Jobs Challenge | $1,807,383 | 06/01/23 - 01/30/28 |
| California Workforce Development Board | High Road Construction Careers Resilient Workforce Fund | $8,825,127 | 05/01/23 - 03/31/26 |
| California Department of Industrial Relations | Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeships | $1,800,000 | 05/01/23 - 06/30/25 |
| California Workforce Development Board | State Budget Earmark - ValleyBuild NOW | $3,000,000 | 04/19/23 - 12/31/25 |
Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings Building Trades Council
Stanislaus, Merced, Mariposa, Tuolumne Building Trades Council
Kern, Inyo, Mono Building Trades Council
San Joaquin Building and Construction Trades Council
If you would like to reach out to one of our team members, their information can be found on the Contact page.
