On July 6, 2026, the Employment Development Department (EDD) announced a $9.75 million Regional Coordination Project grant for career-training partnerships across California. EDD’s Regional Coordination Project announcement identifies 10 awardees that will work with local workforce organizations, community colleges, adult schools, employers, and labor groups.
How the Regional Coordination Project Works
The awards support regional partnerships that expand certificate programs, apprenticeships, work-based learning, and other skills training. EDD selected the organizations through a competitive application and evaluation process.
The project is funded through a $9.75 million U.S. Department of Labor grant. EDD states that no non-federal funding is part of the award.
Training and Industry Focus
The announcement identifies certificate programs, apprenticeships, and work-based learning as the principal training models. Awardees will focus on industries including health care, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, forestry, natural resources, and biosciences.
These grants support regional organizations and their partnerships. They do not create a new individual EDD benefit program or change benefit eligibility rules.
Awardees and Regions
| Awardee | Counties or Region | Award |
|---|---|---|
| City of Santa Ana | Orange | $1 million |
| Kern/Inyo/Mono Consortium Workforce Development Area | Kern | $1 million |
| County of Humboldt | Humboldt | $750,000 |
| Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County | Contra Costa and Alameda | $1 million |
| City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department and Workforce Development Board | Los Angeles | $1 million |
| Golden Sierra Job Training Agency | Northern and foothill counties | $1 million |
| San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department | San Bernardino and Riverside | $1 million |
| NOVAworks Workforce Development Board | San Mateo and Santa Clara | $1 million |
| Mother Lode Consortium | Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Alpine, Inyo, and Mono | $1 million |
| South Bay Workforce Investment Board | Los Angeles | $1 million |
For Workers Considering Training
Readers who receive unemployment benefits while considering training can review how training may relate to unemployment benefits. The grant announcement remains the source for each awardee’s program and contact details.