Employment and Training Pathways Program (ETPP) Program Year 2026-27 (PY 26-27)

The ETPP grants will be awarded to develop and implement projects that accelerate pathways to employment for populations facing significant employment barriers into high-demand occupations for good-quality jobs.  The ETPP will develop skill-based pathways by intregrating education and workforce training programs to align with the specific needs of to serve California’s highest-needs populations.

The ETPP grants will be awarded to develop and implement projects that accelerate pathways to employment for populations facing significant employment barriers into high-demand occupations for good-quality jobs. The ETPP will develop skill-based pathways by integrating education and workforce training programs to align with the specific needs of the state’s strategic industry sectors which will will not only ensure that individuals are connected to good-quality jobs but become better prepared to enter high-demand fields. The ETPP aligns with the California Master Plan for Career Education and the Unified Strategic Workforce Development Plan to help connect California workers to jobs and promote sustainable growth of the state’s economy.  Proposals must be received by 11:59 p.m. on November 9, 2026. Two informational webinars will be held on October 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required for all participants. Once the SFP releases, please refer to the EDD’s Workforce Development Solicitation for Proposals website for the pre-registration link. After successfully pre-registering, a system-generated email will provide the webinar link.   Applicants must demonstrate the ability to leverage a minimum of 20 percent of their budget with funds or services from other sources. The leverage needed for funds is based on the total grant funding requested. Applicants are encouraged to braid funds, leverage human capital, and utilize other resources to maximize the success of the project. Leveraged resources can come from a variety of sources. To view the SFP once it releases, visit the EDD Workforce Development Solicitations for Proposals webpage at https://edd.ca.gov/en/jobs_and_training/wdsfp_workforce_development_solicitations_for_proposals.  The EDD encourages applicants to submit a notice of intent to apply by October 23, 2026, at noon PT to WSBSFP3@edd.ca.gov.

Type: Grant Award: Between $500,000.00 and $2,000,000.00 Total available: $17,000,000.00 Matching funds: Not Required Funding method: Reimbursement(s) Funding source: Federal Deadline: 2026-11-09 23:59:00 (Pacific time) Award period: 4/1/27-3/31/29 Source: California Grants Portal record 193566 (Employment Development Department), published by the State of California.

Eligible applicant types: Nonprofit; Public Agency; Tribal Government

Local Workforce Development Areas (Local Areas) or boards, adult/education and training providers, community colleges, private non-profit organizations, labor organizations, tribal organizations, faith-based organizations, public agencies (local governments), and community-based organizations (CBOs) are eligible to apply.

Geography: The ETPP PY 26-27 seeks proposals that plan to serve English Language Learners (ELLs); justice-involved individuals; disabled individuals facing barriers to employment; opportunity young adults (OYA) who are not working, working in low-wage occupations, have a pattern of intermittent employment, or are not in school; veterans who face systemic barriers to employment; and individuals on public benefits facing new work requirements.