Newsom unveils plan to boost California's labor market with 'career passports'

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new framework aimed at addressing the complex challenges facing California's labor market. The initiative seeks to connect Californians, particularly those in rural areas, to high-paying, fulfilling careers, regardless of whether they hold a college degree.

The plan, backed by proposed budget investments, aims to simplify the process for individuals to earn college credit for real-world experience, including veterans. A key component of the initiative is the introduction of "career passports," which are skills-based records designed to shift hiring practices away from degree-only requirements, thereby opening job opportunities for workers from diverse backgrounds.

"The whole idea is we want you to see yourself in this plan. We don't want anybody to feel excluded. We don't want to feel like we're talking down to you or talking past you. This is not about the fact, your life is over if you don't have a fancy four-year degree. Quite the contrary. That you can thrive, not just survive in this new economy," said Newsom.

Newsom emphasized that the goal is to create seamless, real-world pathways from the classroom to the job site.

For more information on Newsom's plan, visit his website.