High Road to Construction Careers 2026 (HRCC 2026) Grant Program

Purpose

The California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), in partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is pleased to announce the availability of $8 million in grant funding for Round One of the High Road to Construction Careers 2026 (HRCC 2026) Grant Program, a California Jobs First Initiative. A second round of funding will be released through a competitive solicitation in the 2026-27 State Fiscal Year.

Description

Funding for the HRCC 2026 program will be awarded in two rounds. All current HRCC grantees are eligible to apply for both rounds. Round One of the HRCC 2026 program will provide $8 million to existing HRCC grantees. Round One funding is intended to serve as a “bridge” between the HRCC Resilient Workforce Fund (RWF) program and Round Two of the HRCC 2026 program. Each region will be awarded funding in Round One based on an allocation formula intended to expedite funding for grantees to maintain existing regional service levels. In Round Two, approximately $19 million will be awarded to regions with demonstrated hiring demand through a competitive application process. The CWDB will issue a separate solicitation for Round Two in the 2026-27 State Fiscal Year. All HRCC regions will receive a predetermined funding allocation under this solicitation. Funding allocations for Round One are based on each region’s HRCC RWF spending rate using invoice data through December 2025. Applicants must apply for the exact amount shown in Table One of the RFA. In the event one or more eligible regions decline to apply or are deemed ineligible for Round One, the CWDB may reallocate that region’s Round One award to one or more eligible applicant(s) in Round One and/or reallocate that funding to a future solicitation. Applicants must request access to the HRCC 2026 application through the Application Access form and, once access is granted, complete and submit the application through Cal-E-Grants. The CWDB will release a closed, competitive funding opportunity during the 2026-27 State Fiscal Year, through which the remaining HRCC 2026 funds will be awarded to further support HRCC program goals and align investments with regional labor market demand. Additionally, past grantee performance, including compliance with, and timeliness of, required participant data collection and reporting under previous HRCC grants will be considered. Additional information about eligibility, funding amounts, application requirements, and evaluation criteria will be released in the Round Two solicitation. Details outlined in the RFA regarding the Round Two solicitation are subject to change. HRCC 2026 grant program’s objectives are to: Meet demand: Train workers to meet the hiring needs of public infrastructure and construction projects. Promote access: Support entry into joint-apprenticeship programs for individuals who have traditionally faced barriers to employment in the construction trades, including women, veterans, and justice-involved individuals. Boost the economy: Increase employment, boost incomes, and drive economic activity in communities that need it most.