College Apprenticeship Director Highlights Employer Partnerships

During a statewide webinar on April 23, marking National Apprenticeship Day, Rosalinda Rivas, apprenticeship director at Moreno Valley College, urged employers to partner with the college to strengthen workforce pathways.

“Help us, help you so we can help all of California,” Rivas said, encouraging deeper industry engagement with MVC’s registered apprenticeship programs. Her remarks echoed the event’s central theme: aligning education with workforce needs through hands-on training.

The 90-minute webinar, Strategic Workforce Solutions: Registered Apprenticeships Built in Partnership with California Employers, was hosted by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the California Employment Development Department. It brought together state leaders, employers, educators, and apprentices to spotlight California’s apprenticeship infrastructure, which supports nearly 100,000 registered apprentices across more than 1,200 programs.

Rivas joined Chris Cagle of the South Bay Workforce Investment Board to discuss the unique role of community colleges in apprenticeship development. She shared how MVC integrates industry certifications into academic pathways, offers no-cost programs, and builds scalable public-private partnerships. The college also hosts California’s largest apprenticeship expo and is recognized as a leader in connecting students to high-demand careers.

Steve Hargis, chief information officer for the City of Moreno Valley, spoke on the value apprentices bring to local government. His department recently hired Shanae Hill, an MVC student who progressed from a pre-apprenticeship program into a cybersecurity internship with the city. Hill, now a registered apprentice, also spoke during the webinar.

“I am a testament to what I learned,” Hill said. “I never knew about this program before. I’m grateful.” She credited MVC’s career coaching, mock interviews, and employer connections for helping her develop job-ready skills.

Efforts like those at MVC support the state’s broader goals: reducing skills gaps, promoting workforce equity, and offering practical solutions for employers. California now graduates more than 17,000 apprentices annually and continues to expand pre-apprenticeship programs that open doors for underrepresented communities.

Through strategic leadership and a commitment to economic mobility, Rivas is helping position MVC as a statewide model for apprenticeship excellence.