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The 7 Essential Facts About The California Division Of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) For 2025

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The California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) is the state agency currently overseeing one of the largest and most ambitious registered apprenticeship systems in the nation. As of late 2025, the DAS is central to a massive workforce development push, backed by tens of millions in state funding, aimed at expanding career pathways beyond the traditional building trades and into emerging, high-demand sectors like Information Technology and Healthcare.

This article provides an in-depth look at the most critical, up-to-date information for 2025, detailing the DAS’s core function, the new funding opportunities for employers, and the essential compliance requirements for contractors working on California public works projects. Understanding the current regulations and strategic focus of the DAS is crucial for employers, potential apprentices, and compliance officers alike.

The DAS Mission and Key Governing Entities

The Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). Its fundamental mission is to administer and enforce the state's apprenticeship law, ensuring that all registered programs meet the high standards for wages, hours, and working conditions set forth in the California Labor Code.

  • Department of Industrial Relations (DIR): The parent agency that oversees the DAS.
  • California Apprenticeship Council (CAC): This council is a separate, statutory body that provides guidance to the DAS, establishes the regulations for apprenticeship standards (found in Title 8, Chapter 2 of the California Code of Regulations), and holds quarterly public meetings.
  • Registered Apprenticeship Program: A formal, structured training system combining on-the-job learning (OJL) with related and supplemental instruction (RSI).
  • Program Sponsor: An employer, association of employers, or a labor-management committee that operates a registered apprenticeship program under DAS oversight.

1. The Apprenticeship Standard: OJL and RSI Requirements

All DAS-registered programs must adhere to a strict training model to ensure quality and portability of skills.

The core requirements are:

  • On-the-Job Learning (OJL): A minimum of 2,000 hours of structured, paid experience under the supervision of a journey-level worker.
  • Related and Supplemental Instruction (RSI): A minimum of 144 hours of classroom-based or online technical instruction per year.

Upon successful completion of both the OJL and RSI components, the apprentice achieves journey-level status and receives a certificate of completion from the DAS.

2. Major 2025 Funding & The Shift to Emerging Sectors

The most significant update for 2025 is the massive investment in expanding apprenticeships, particularly into non-traditional fields. The state is actively leveraging the California Apprenticeship Initiative (CAI) to drive this expansion.

A major component of this is the Apprenticeship Innovation Funding (AIF), which saw the announcement of significant grants, including over $52 million in total funding, with a special focus on New & Innovative (N&I) Grants for Fiscal Year 2025-26.

The DAS is prioritizing the creation of new programs in sectors facing critical workforce shortages:

  • Information Technology (IT): Including roles in cybersecurity, software development, and network administration.
  • Healthcare: Targeting clinical and non-clinical roles in high demand across the state.
  • Advanced Manufacturing: Focusing on modern, high-tech production and automation roles.
  • Education: Developing pathways for teacher and paraprofessional training.
  • Clean Energy/Climate: Aligning training with California's ambitious environmental goals.

These grants are specifically designed to align disconnected youth and underserved populations with high-wage, high-growth career pathways.

3. Critical Compliance: The DAS 142 Requirement for Public Works

For any employer or contractor involved in California public works projects, compliance with the DAS regulations is non-negotiable. The Division of Apprenticeship Standards enforces California Labor Code Section 1777.5, which mandates that contractors on public works contracts valued at $30,000 or more must employ apprentices.

The two most critical forms for compliance are the DAS 140 and the DAS 142.

The Purpose of the DAS 142 Form

The DAS 142 (Request for Dispatch of an Apprentice) is the essential document used to request a registered apprentice from a program sponsor.

  • Mandate: Contractors must request dispatch from a DAS-approved program at least three business days before apprentices are required on the jobsite.
  • Utilization Ratio: Contractors must maintain a specific ratio of apprentices to journey-level workers, as determined by the apprenticeship standards for that trade.
  • Penalties: Failing to comply with the DAS 142 requirements, including the request and utilization mandates, can result in severe financial penalties and project delays.

The related DAS 140 (Public Works Contract Award Information) form is used to notify the DAS and the applicable apprenticeship program of a new public works contract award.

4. How to Become a Registered Apprentice in California

For an individual, becoming a registered apprentice is a direct path to a high-paying career without accumulating student debt. The process is managed by the Program Sponsor, but the DAS sets the minimum standards.

The general steps to apply are:

  1. Identify a Program: Search the DAS Registered Apprenticeship Program directory for a trade that matches your career goals (e.g., Electrician, Plumber, IT Specialist).
  2. Meet Minimum Requirements: Applicants must generally be at least 16 or 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and meet any program-specific physical or educational requirements.
  3. Apply to the Sponsor: Submit an application directly to the Program Sponsor (often a Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee or JATC, or an employer).
  4. Pass Testing/Interview: Many programs require aptitude tests, interviews, or other assessments to determine eligibility.
  5. Sign the Apprenticeship Agreement: Once accepted, the apprentice signs an agreement with the sponsor, which is registered with the DAS, formalizing the training contract and protections.

5. Registering a New Apprenticeship Program with the DAS

For employers or industry groups looking to create their own skilled workforce pipeline, registering a program with the DAS is the first step to becoming a Program Sponsor.

The process involves submitting a comprehensive application to the DAS for review and approval by the California Apprenticeship Council (CAC). Key components of the application include:

  • A detailed work process schedule outlining the specific on-the-job training competencies.
  • A plan for related and supplemental instruction (RSI), including curriculum and delivery method.
  • The proposed term of the apprenticeship (e.g., 3-5 years) and the wage progression schedule.

The DAS also offers a pathway for Pre-Apprenticeship Programs, which are shorter, preparatory programs designed to help participants meet the minimum entry requirements for a Registered Apprenticeship.

6. DAS and the Future of Workforce Development

The DAS's strategic focus in 2025 is clearly on diversification and accessibility. The California Apprenticeship Initiative (CAI), a partnership between the DAS and the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, is the driving force behind this push.

By leveraging funding from the Employment Training Panel (ETP) and other state sources, the DAS is ensuring that the state's workforce pipeline is robust enough to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy, moving beyond the traditional construction trades to fill critical skill gaps in modern industries.

7. Essential DAS Contact and Resource Entities

To ensure compliance and access to resources, the following entities and forms are essential to navigate the California apprenticeship system:

  • California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
  • California Apprenticeship Council (CAC)
  • California Apprenticeship Initiative (CAI)
  • DAS 140 Form (Public Works Contract Award Information)
  • DAS 142 Form (Request for Dispatch of an Apprentice)
  • California Labor Code Section 1777.5
  • California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Chapter 2
  • Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC)
  • Related and Supplemental Instruction (RSI)
  • On-the-Job Learning (OJL)
  • Pre-Apprenticeship Program
  • Employment Training Panel (ETP)
  • Apprenticeship Innovation Funding (AIF)
  • New & Innovative (N&I) Grants
  • Journey-Level Worker
The 7 Essential Facts About the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) for 2025
california division of apprenticeship standards
california division of apprenticeship standards

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