Briefly tell us about the Institute for Local Government. What does your organization do? 

The Institute for Local Government (ILG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping local governments and their leaders tackle complex issues and strengthen trust in their communities. We’re also non-partisan, which helps us meet local governments where they are and guide their progress. We focus on education, technical assistance, and capacity-building specifically in areas related to good governance, leadership, public engagement, climate action and workforce development.  

Through our partnership with the Irvine Foundation, ILG is leading statewide efforts to develop and expand public sector registered apprenticeship programs (RAPs) in California’s 2,500 cities, counties and special districts. We’re currently piloting a new initiative, called Bridge, to address the state’s critical public sector workforce needs and help more Californians from underrepresented groups gain new job skills and move up the ladder in a rewarding public sector career. 

Tell us a little more about the Bridge initiative.

Bridge represents our commitment to creating sustainable and impactful workforce solutions by focusing on creating public sector apprenticeship programs in California cities, counties, and special districts. The programs are designed to attract and train diverse talent from the local community for high-demand roles in local governments—fields like accounting, IT, health, and social services. We see it as finding exciting and innovative ways to build a more diverse and resilient public sector workforce across the state. 

Bridge is vital for California because local governments are facing increasing workforce shortages, especially as many employees retire. The initiative is helping to fill these gaps by introducing apprenticeships that provide structured career pathways, increase retention rates, and build a high-quality, more diverse workforce ready to meet California’s public service demands.  

Why is it important to have registered apprenticeship programs (RAPs) in the public sector?

Registered Apprenticeship Programs have been a staple in the public sector for decades, but primarily in public safety and the building and construction trades. Now, with local government vacancy rates hovering near 15% — which impacts their ability to deliver vital services — and increased competition for talent, we need to think differently. RAPs address urgent workforce shortages while providing apprentices with structured paths to stable, well-paying careers in fields like accounting, mental and behavioral health, human resources, social services, and IT. And they are an “earn-while-you-learn” model that blends education with practical, on-the-job paid experience, mentorship, and certification, ensuring that apprentices are well-prepared for a career in public service.  

We believe that by building stronger public sector apprenticeships, like what we’re doing through Bridge, we can fill much needed positions within local government and create long-term career opportunities that strengthen California’s communities and our local democracies. 

How is your organization helping to increase racial and gender equity and diversity in registered apprenticeship programs?

ILG is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce in the public sector – and our local governments want that, too. Through the Bridge initiative, we partner with local governments, educational institutions, workforce partners, labor unions, and community organizations to design apprenticeship programs that prioritize outreach to women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups. Our approach includes targeted recruitment strategies, meaningful partnerships with trusted community-based organizations, and wraparound support services that ensure apprentices have the resources they need to succeed, and employers have the capacity to support the program. Our apprenticeship program focuses on inclusivity at every stage to help create a public sector workforce that truly reflects California’s diversity.  

What does progress in public sector apprenticeships look like to you? What are you hoping to achieve?

Progress in public sector apprenticeships means seeing a steady, sustainable increase in skilled workers who come from their local communities and who are passionate and well-prepared to meet local government needs. We envision a future where local governments of every size and demographic across California have the tools they need to build robust, diverse apprenticeship programs that provide access to stable, well-paying careers. Progress to us looks like lower turnover, increased workforce retention, more satisfied employees and a growing pool of public sector employers that are resilient and can adapt to changing community needs. We envision strong learning networks and communities of practice, and we see regional collaboration around shared values. Ultimately, our goal is for Bridge to be the vehicle through which public sector RAP frameworks are tested and refined to become an essential workforce development tool that strengthens California’s local governments and serves as a model nationwide. 

What do you want funders (public and private) to know about public sector apprenticeships? How should they support this work?

Funders play a crucial role in the success and expansion of public sector apprenticeships. There’s a misconception that local government is well funded and resource heavy. That’s not the case. Most local governments are lacking in flexible resources and capacity. We want funders to know that these programs are not about filling the coffers of Big Government — they’re about building community resilience, fostering diversity, and creating economic mobility for underrepresented populations. Communities can’t thrive when their government isn’t staffed. By investing in these programs, funders can help scale the apprenticeship model across California, to reach more communities, get more people ready to work, and strengthen local services statewide. We encourage funders to support not only the establishment of RAPs but also the critical technical assistance, outreach, and wraparound services that make these programs accessible and successful. With comprehensive support, public sector apprenticeships can be a powerful solution to California’s public sector workforce challenges.