Blog

The Employment Development Department (EDD) is accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Employment and Training Pathways Program with a total funding availability of $16.3 million. Maximum awards are up to $2,000,000 with a 20 percent match requirement; applications are due December 8, 2025. 

What is the purpose of the Employment and Training Pathways Program (ETPP)?

The purpose of ETPP is to solicit grant proposals from project operators with the resources, experience, and ability to implement projects that advance workforce strategies and serve populations facing systemic barriers. This program aims to train and place individuals in the identified target population(s) (defined below) into jobs and career pathways, leading to family self-sufficiency, and to strengthen regional workforce ecosystems through targeted investments and collaboration in education, training, and supportive services.

Who are eligible applicants for this program?

Local Workforce Development 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 are eligible to apply.

What are ETPP’s target populations?

EDD seeks proposals that employ strategies that will expand access to high-quality, career-connected learning opportunities for Californians’ English Language Learners; justice-involved individuals; opportunity young adults who are not working, working in low-wage occupations, have a pattern of intermittent employment, or are not in school; and veterans who face systemic barriers to employment.

What should be the primary outcomes for ETPP projects?

The project design should support specific and measurable outcomes that increase access to quality jobs for ETPP target populations. These outcomes are demonstrated by placement into jobs that meet Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Local Living Wage Standards or jobs with clear and accessible pathways to living wage jobs.

To achieve these outcomes, project designs should:

• Develop strong partnerships with regional partners, including local boards, community colleges, employers, and community-based organizations that sustain sector-based programs that provide pathways to economic mobility.
• Develop and/or identify innovative, replicable, and scalable strategies to support target populations. These should include cohort-based training with robust support services provided with a trauma-informed lens and demonstrated employer and community partnerships.

What are the funding levels for ETPP?

There is a total of $16.3 million available for this round of funding. Applicants may request awards ranging from $500,000 to $2,000,000. The EDD anticipates that an estimated 8 to 32 awards will be funded.

What is the application and award timeline?

A Notice of Intent to Apply is due by November 20, 2025 by noon Pacific Time.

Full applications are due by December 8, 2025 at 3pm Pacific Time.

Award announcements are anticipated in February 2026.

The period of performance will be 18 to 24 months, with an anticipated start date of April 1, 2026.

The full Solicitation for Proposals can be found here.

For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.