ORANGE, Calif. - Santiago Canyon College (SCC) will join the state and nation in celebrating National Apprenticeship Week, set from April 26 to May 2, recognizing the important role Registered Apprenticeship programs play in strengthening the workforce and creating pathways to high-demand careers.
National Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide celebration in which employers, industry associations, labor organizations, community-based groups, educational institutions and government partners highlight the value of Registered Apprenticeship. The industry-driven workforce model helps meet critical workforce needs while providing career seekers with access to well-paid, in-demand careers.
“Santiago Canyon College is proud to join a grateful state and nation in recognizing and celebrating National Apprenticeship Week,” said Dr. Jason Parks, SCC’s Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Apprenticeships play an important role in strengthening our economy while providing meaningful pathways through education. SCC is fortunate to collaborate with partners across building trades, health care, technology, education and the public sector to create a pipeline that helps our students pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.”
In the 2024–25 academic year, 6,200 students were enrolled in SCC’s apprenticeship programs, where they gain hands-on experience while earning a paycheck. SCC currently operates the second-largest apprenticeship program among the 116 California Community Colleges.
The college offers seven apprenticeship programs in fields including carpentry, electricity, operating engineers, power lineman and surveying. SCC also offers a nontraditional apprenticeship program in Early Childhood Education, which provides 25 available spots each semester.
Apprentices attend SCC classes that provide supplemental instruction directly related to their field. The courses are free, count toward college credit, and may lead to a certificate or degree. Upon successful completion, apprentices receive a Certificate of Completion from the State of California, officially designating them as skilled journey workers.
For Gary Reyes, SCC’s carpentry apprenticeship program helped turn a childhood interest into a career.
“When I was small, I watched Bob the Builder and got inspired,” Reyes said. “Growing up, I helped my mom build cabinets and furniture from IKEA. As I got older, I looked into how to do it for real.”
Reyes joined SCC’s program in 2018 through the Southwest Mountain States Regional Council of Carpenters (SMSRCC) and completed the apprenticeship in 2023. Today, he works on construction, remodeling and site additions for schools across the Los Angeles Unified School District.
“They taught me a lot. SCC gave us the courses and put us on the right path,” Reyes said. “My goal is to build something that people drive by and think, ‘That’s a nice building.’”
Another graduate, Tim Ralls, found his path to surveying after serving in the United States Marine Corps. He joined SCC’s Surveying/Engineering Apprenticeship Program in 2014 and completed the program as Chief of Party.
“You get to learn about the trade and then immediately apply it in the field,” Ralls said. Ralls earned two associate degrees through SCC and now teaches in the same program that helped launch his career.
“When someone enters an apprenticeship program, they become our student,” said Elizabeth Arteaga, dean of SCC’s Apprenticeship Programs. “They have access to counseling, health care, career planning, the computer lab and library, tutors and many other benefits. Everything is at no cost to the student because apprenticeship students are exempt from paying tuition.”
Depending on the profession, SCC apprenticeship programs typically last between 18 months and five years, providing students with extensive hands-on experience and industry training.
As one of California’s leading apprenticeship education providers, Santiago Canyon College continues to play a vital role in expanding workforce opportunities across the state.
In the spirit of National Apprenticeship Week, SCC also encourages apprentices to continue their education through advanced technical training and associate degree programs, helping them build long-term career growth and leadership opportunities in their fields.