The California Workforce

A Wealth of Talent

California is home to the most diverse and integrated population in the world. This diverse demographic brings the influence of different cultural perspectives in business environments. Prestigious universities draw local talent, as well as young talent from all over the United States and the world. Many of these students, who are some of the brightest and best, stay and build careers in California. The state also draws seasoned professionals who choose California because of its opportunities, weather, natural beauty, and culture.

The California workforce is highly trained and diversified. These dynamics create a highly competitive advantage for companies looking to establish in the Golden State.

California Produces a Highly Skilled Workforce

California has a solid network of three public postsecondary systems—the California State University, the University of California, and the California Community Colleges System—and some of the most prestigious private universities in the world. The California State University system, which is the largest public university system in the U.S., is comprised of 23 campuses and 8 off-campus centers and has over 460,000 students on its rosters. CSU has one of the highest rates in the nation of students who go on to get their Ph.D degrees.

The University of California is the home of award-winning research facilities—winning 62 Nobel Prizes to date. UC has 10 campuses and a student body of 250,000. Private universities, such as Stanford University, the University of Southern California, and the California Institute of Technology, produce graduates that rise to the top of their fields, including politicians, astronauts, Nobel and Turing Award laureates, and billionaires.

In addition to the solid lineup of universities and colleges, local talent can also benefit from numerous workforce training programs. The Career Technical Education (CTE) provides training in 15 key industries and the Employment Training Panel (ETP) offers funding to employers to assist with the vocational training of their employees.