AB-323 • 2026

Strong Workforce Program: work-based learning opportunities.

Education Labor

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Fong
Last action: 2025-10-03
Official status: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 255, Statutes of 2025.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on the types of work-based learning opportunities or funding amounts, leaving some aspects open-ended.

Strong Workforce Program: Paid Learning Opportunities

This law requires the California Community Colleges to revise policies by June 30, 2026, to provide paid work-based learning opportunities for students and employers.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Chancellor's office of California Community Colleges to update rules about providing paid work-based learning opportunities by June 30, 2026.
Allows community college districts to use funds to support both students and employers for these paid learning experiences.

Who It Names or Affects

Students in the California Community Colleges system
Employers who partner with community colleges
Community college districts

Terms To Know

Strong Workforce Program: A program that provides funding for career technical education and work-based learning opportunities.
Chancellor's office: The administrative body responsible for overseeing the California Community Colleges system.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify how much funding will be allocated for these paid learning opportunities.
Does not detail exactly what types of work-based learning experiences are covered under this law.

Bill History

2025-10-03 California Legislative Information
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 255, Statutes of 2025.
2025-10-03 California Legislative Information
Approved by the Governor.
2025-09-11 California Legislative Information
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
2025-09-04 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
2025-09-04 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2520.).
2025-09-02 California Legislative Information
Ordered to special consent calendar.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
2025-07-07 California Legislative Information
In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-06-25 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-06-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on ED.
2025-05-29 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-05-29 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 70. Noes 0. Page 1784.)
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
2025-03-19 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 18). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-03-19 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2025-02-10 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.
2025-01-27 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2025-01-25 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee February 24.
2025-01-24 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 323, Fong.
Strong Workforce Program: work-based learning opportunities.
Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Existing law establishes the Strong Workforce Program to provide funding to career technical education regional consortia made up of community college districts and local educational agencies, as specified. Existing law requires the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to, no later than June 30, 2017, bring before the board of governors any policies, regulations, and guidance necessary to accomplish, among other things, providing work-based learning opportunities for students that increase their employability and earning potential, as provided. Existing law requires a percentage of the funds apportioned for community colleges under the program to
be apportioned directly to community college districts in the consortia to fund, among other things, student grants to cover fees for third-party certification and licensing.
This bill would require the chancellor’s office to revise, no later than June 30, 2026, the above-described policies, regulations, and guidance necessary to provide students, employers, or both, with paid work-based learning opportunities, as provided. The bill would authorize a community college district to also use those funds apportioned directly to community college districts to provide direct support to students, employers, or both, for paid work-based learning to increase employability and employment, as provided.

Current Bill Text

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