Construction Career Jumpstart

Making your next move

Receive free training while preparing for a high paying and rewarding career in the energy, construction and utilities sector! This four week hands-on program will cover the fundamentals of a construction skilled tradesman position including safety, trenching, jackhammering, proper usage of other power tools and other essential skills. Trainees will be certified in several skills upon graduation.

Electrical Training Institute (ETI) Pre-Apprenticeship program

Workers in this pathway will have the skills to become electricians, laborers, linemen/linewomen and other skilled trades people. Participants receive a $500 stipend upon completion of the program and we work to place you with an employer.

Training includes:

• 160 hours of classroom and hands-on training
• OSHA Certification
• Power tool/jackhammer skills, safety training and trades math
• Simulated job site projects such as inspecting building electrical codes
• Job readiness, resume building and interview prep

Supporting your next move

The training comes with a stipend of $500 can lead to entry-level positions that begin at $18-$19/hour.

We’ll provide all the tools necessary to get you started and succeeding in this new career, as well as career coaching and mentorship before, during and after the training. You’ll also receive help with applying, interviewing, landing and succeeding on the job!

Questions? Contact us at hello@workforce.org.

Upcoming cohorts

Below are training dates and application windows for upcoming cohorts.

Who It's For

• Live in San Diego County
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Have a valid CA driver’s license
• Ages 18+
• Ability to perform the physical duties of a skilled laborer position
• Ability to understand and carry out instructions in English

Eligible applicants will be asked to verify income through our career centers. 

How to Apply

Applications for 2024 cohorts are now closed. Dates for the 2025 cohorts are listed above here.

To apply, click the “Apply Now” button below. Applications usually take 10–15 minutes to complete. After submission, you will be directed to respond to supplemental questions. Once that is submitted, our team will contact you about next steps.

 
 

“I started as a laborer at San Diego Gas & Electric, and I know from personal experience that diversity, inclusion and opportunity have made our company stronger and better. Construction Career Jumpstart is an intentional initiative to prepare individuals for opportunities to work and thrive at our company and in other utilities and construction industries.”

– Scott Drury, CEO of Los Angeles-based SoCalGas and former President, SDG&E

Our partners:

Read about participant experiences with the program:

Construction Career Jumpstart provides a new father with opportunities

Robert Dunchene saw an advertisement for the Construction Career Jumpstart (CCJ) program on Facebook and after applying, was accepted. Here he tells us about his experience with the program and how it led to a position with San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E).  

Robert levels up with Construction Career Jumpstart

Robert Stocking wanted to take his real estate building compliance career to the next level and joined the Construction Career Jumpstart (CCJ) program. Our marketing team spoke with Robert to learn about his experience and what his favorite part of the program was.

Training Jumpstarts Journey Down Lucrative Career Path

Gregory and Richard recently graduated from Construction Career Jumpstart as pre-apprentices and were invited to join the Electrical Training Institute as apprentices; a process that typically takes several years of work , before being considered as apprentices. Here, Electrical Training Institute staff, Garrett and Marcus, discuss how Gregory and Richard made the jump in less than one year.

Jeniffer Mendiola is paving the way to bring more women into apprenticeships

Jeniffer Mendiola has had a passion for working with her hands from an early age, influenced by her uncles working in construction. The passion is made clear when looking at her work history, which reflects a pattern of physical if not mobile elements; from emergency medical technician (EMT) to welding and driving for Uber, her career journey took her through various career paths and industries. It was when she received an email from San Diego Continuing Education that she was able to find her way to becoming a certified electrician by way of the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s Construction Career Jumpstart (CCJ) program.