The California Employment Development Department (EDD) has awarded $5 million through its Farmworkers Advancement Program in an effort to expand education, workforce training, and career advancement opportunities for California agricultural workers. The program will provide training in English, math, digital literacy, and other workforce skills designed to support career growth both within and beyond agriculture.  

Five organizations received funding and will serve farm workers in the following regions: 

• Kern County Employers’ Training Resource – Kern County 

• Workforce Development Board of Ventura County – Ventura County 

• Binational of Central California – Fresno, Madera, and Merced Counties 

• Central Valley Opportunity Center (CVOC) – Madera, Merced, and Stanislaus Counties 

• West Hills Community College District – Fresno and Kings Counties  

Employers may wish to connect with these local programs to learn more about workforce development resources, skills training opportunities, and potential talent pipelines available to agricultural workers in their regions. The initiative is intended to strengthen worker advancement and support the evolving workforce needs of California agriculture.