The Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship (ERiCA) Grant is a funding initiative designed to improve access to career opportunities in the building and construction trades for women, non-binary individuals, and underrepresented populations in California. Administered by the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS), the grant aims to break down barriers that prevent equitable participation in construction apprenticeships.
For the 2025-2027 program period (PY 25-27), DAS has allocated $13,000,000 to continue the ERiCA Grant’s mission. This is the second round of the grant, building on the successes of the first round (PY 2023-2025), which provided $25 million to support outreach, community building, childcare assistance, and training in construction trades. The second round aims to strengthen these initiatives by enhancing mentorship, expanding outreach, and improving worksite culture.
The ERiCA Grant funds projects in three main categories:
Recruitment – Grants between $100,000 and $500,000 to support outreach and community engagement efforts targeting underrepresented populations in construction.
Childcare Support – Grants between $200,000 and $1,500,000, providing financial support for childcare to increase accessibility for apprentices. Funding amounts include $5,000 per eligible pre-apprentice and $10,000 per eligible apprentice enrolled in a registered program.
Worksite Culture Improvement – Grants between $100,000 and $500,000 to enhance workplace environments through mentorship, community-building initiatives, and training programs on mental health, anti-harassment, and anti-discrimination.
Eligible applicants must be DAS Registered Apprenticeship or Pre-Apprenticeship programs or must collaborate with a registered program. Applicants must demonstrate experience in running at least two pre-apprentice or apprentice cohorts focusing on equity and inclusion in the past four years or have a track record of recruiting and advocating for underrepresented populations in the construction industry. Organizations that received funding in the first round are eligible to reapply if they have passed the annual review as of December 31, 2024.
The application window opens on January 13, 2025, and closes on March 12, 2025, at 12:00 PM PST. Applicants must submit their Notice of Intent to Apply by February 21, 2025, and all proposals must be sent via email to DASGrantUnit@dir.ca.gov. An informational Q&A webinar will be held on February 13, 2025, and DAS will respond to submitted questions by February 28, 2025. The estimated project start date is June 30, 2025, with a performance period running until June 30, 2027.
This grant program supports California’s commitment to ensuring that the construction workforce reflects the state’s diversity and provides equal opportunities for all individuals seeking careers in the industry. By investing in recruitment, childcare, and worksite culture improvements, ERiCA seeks to create lasting systemic change within the construction sector.
