0,000+ in tuition and fees for in-demand occupations), and connections to apprenticeships. Every state has a workforce agency that oversees unemployment insurance, labor market information, and rapid response services for laid-off workers. Registered Apprenticeship programs pay workers while they train for skilled trades (electrician, plumber, HVAC, heavy equipment, and increasingly healthcare and IT). For formerly incarcerated fathers, state Department of Labor reentry programs and organizations like the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provide transitional jobs and placement. This directory includes AJCs, workforce boards, apprenticeship programs, and reentry services.
18 Resources
1. EDD — CalJOBS & Unemployment Insurance — Free
California Employment Development Department provides unemployment insurance benefits, job search tools through CalJOBS, labor market information, and career services. Register at caljobs.ca.gov for job postings, resume tools, and training referrals. File UI claims at edd.ca.gov or call 1-800-300-5616. UI benefits replace a portion of lost wages while job seeking. SDI also available for qualifying workers with non-work injuries.
1-800-300-5616 · 800 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814 · Phone Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; online 24/7 · Visit Website
2. America's Job Centers of California (AJCC) — Free
Statewide network of 200+ one-stop employment centers providing free job search assistance, career counseling, skills training, resume help, and employer connections. Federally funded through WIOA. Find your nearest center at edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training or call (916) 654-7799. Walk-in welcome at most centers during business hours. Services available to all job seekers regardless of income or employment history.
(916) 654-7799 · Multiple locations statewide · Mon-Fri 8-5 (varies by location) · Visit Website
3. Goodwill of Southern California — Free
Free job training, placement, and career development services for individuals with barriers to employment including justice-involved fathers, veterans, and people with disabilities. Multiple career centers in LA, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. Job fairs held regularly. Call (888) 445-4669 or visit goodwillsocal.org. Walk-in welcome. No cost to job seekers. Programs funded through community partnerships.
(888) 445-4669 · 342 N. San Fernando Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90031 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
4. Urban League of Los Angeles — Free
Free workforce development, job training, and career placement services for African American and underserved Angelenos. Programs include NULITES youth employment, Project Ready career training, and entrepreneurship development. Connects job seekers to a network of 1,000+ partner employers. Call (213) 639-6170. Located in the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles. Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. No cost to participants.
(213) 639-6170 · 3450 Mount Vernon Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90008 · Mon-Fri 9-5
5. SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) — CA — Free
Free employment and training services for CalFresh SNAP recipients including job search assistance, career counseling, vocational training, and work experience placements. Transportation assistance, childcare, and other supportive services available. Access through your county social services office or call (916) 651-8848. Voluntary for most — mandatory only for certain able-bodied adults without dependents. Open to all CalFresh recipients.
(916) 651-8848 · Apply at your county social services office · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
6. SBA California District Offices — Free
U.S. Small Business Administration has district offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, Fresno, and Santa Ana. Free business counseling, access to SBA loans including 7(a), 504, and microloans, and government contracting assistance. Veteran-owned businesses receive priority for some programs. Call (800) 827-5722 or visit sba.gov to find your nearest California district office.
(800) 827-5722 · Multiple CA locations · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
7. SCORE California — Free Business Mentoring — Free
Nonprofit with 20+ chapters in California providing free mentoring from experienced business executives and entrepreneurs. Free workshops on starting a business, writing business plans, and finding financing. Chapters in LA, SF, San Diego, Sacramento, San Jose, and more. Call 1-800-634-0245 or visit score.org to find your nearest chapter and request a free mentor. Both in-person and virtual mentoring available.
1-800-634-0245 · Multiple CA chapters · Mon-Fri, hours vary by chapter · Visit Website
8. Federal Bonding Program — EDD California — Free
Free fidelity bond insurance up to 5,000 for job seekers who face hiring barriers due to criminal records, past substance abuse, prior financial issues, or poor credit. Bonds provided at no cost to employer or worker for the first 6 months of employment — making it easier for employers to hire high-risk candidates. Administered through EDD's CalJOBS centers. Call 1-877-872-5627 to apply through any AJCC location.
1-877-872-5627 · Through any AJCC or CalJOBS office · Mon-Fri 8-5
9. California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) — Free
State board overseeing California's WIOA workforce system. Administers High Road Training Partnerships (HRTP) providing sector-based training in healthcare, construction, and technology. Partners with unions and employers for paid apprenticeships and on-the-job training contracts. Call (916) 657-1440 or email cwdb@cwdb.ca.gov. Located in Sacramento. Oversees policy and funding for all 200+ America's Job Centers statewide.
(916) 657-1440 · 1215 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
10. Homeboy Industries — Los Angeles — Free
World's largest gang intervention and re-entry nonprofit, serving 10,000+ formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated individuals annually in Los Angeles. Free 18-month re-entry program with job training, paid employment at social enterprises, tattoo removal, mental health, and legal services. Call (323) 526-1254 or walk into the Bruno Street facility. Open Monday-Friday 7am-4pm. No referral needed.
(323) 526-1254 · 130 W. Bruno St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 · Mon-Fri 7am-4pm · Visit Website
11. Goodwill of San Francisco, San Mateo & Marin — Free
Free career services in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin counties including resume writing workshops, interview coaching, digital literacy training, and job placement assistance. Call (415) 575-2100 or visit sfgoodwill.org. Located on Mission Street in San Francisco. Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Services available to anyone facing employment barriers. No appointment required for walk-in career resource center access.
(415) 575-2100 · 1580 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103 · Mon-Fri 9-5 · Visit Website
12. WORKSOURCE Centers — Los Angeles — Free
LA County's network of 17 WorkSource career centers providing free job search assistance, resume help, skills training, certification funding, and employer connections. Part of the federally-funded WIOA workforce system. Call (877) 872-5627 for your nearest location. Centers offer computer labs, career counseling, job fairs, and referrals to training programs. No appointment required for walk-in resource center access.
(877) 872-5627 · Multiple LA County locations · Mon-Fri 8-5
13. Year Up — San Francisco/Bay Area — Free
Free one-year career development program for young adults ages 18-29 in the San Francisco Bay Area. First six months of technical skills training followed by a six-month paid corporate internship in technology, finance, or business operations. Call (857) 284-6200 or visit yearup.org to apply. Located on Spear Street in San Francisco. Stipends and support services provided throughout the program. Competitive program with limited enrollment.
(857) 284-6200 · 360 Spear St., Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94105 · Full-time program · Visit Website
14. San Diego Workforce Partnership — Free
Free career services for San Diego County job seekers through the Workforce Partnership's career centers. Services include job search support, resume writing, skills training, certification funding, and connections to local employers. Call (619) 228-2900 or visit workforce.org. Located in Kearny Mesa. Multiple career center locations throughout San Diego County. Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. No appointment required for walk-in services.
(619) 228-2900 · 9246 Lightwave Ave., Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92123 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
15. Sacramento Employment & Training Agency (SETA) — Free
Free career center services for Sacramento County residents including job search assistance, resume writing, interview prep, training funds, and support services for those facing employment barriers. Call (916) 263-3800 or visit seta.net. Located on Del Paso Blvd in Sacramento. Multiple career center locations countywide. Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Also administers Head Start and CalWORKs welfare-to-work programs.
(916) 263-3800 · 925 Del Paso Blvd., Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95815 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
16. Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) — CA — Free
Free transitional employment services for people with criminal records. CEO provides immediate paid work crews, daily job coaching, and permanent job placement assistance. California offices in Oakland, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Call (510) 269-2840 or visit ceoworks.org to enroll. No cost to participants. Supportive services provided throughout the transition to stable employment. Specifically designed for formerly incarcerated fathers re-entering the workforce.
(510) 269-2840 · 100 Broadway, Suite 200, Oakland, CA 94607 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
17. Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission — Free
Free workforce development, job training, and career services for low-income Fresno County residents. Career centers in Fresno and surrounding communities offer job search help, resume writing, skills certification, and employment placement. Youth employment programs serve ages 16-24. Call (559) 263-1000 or visit fresnoeoc.org. Located in downtown Fresno. Also administers Head Start, WIC, and emergency services for the county.
(559) 263-1000 · 1920 Mariposa St., Suite 300, Fresno, CA 93721 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
18. CalJOBS — California Job Search Portal — Free
California's official job search portal aggregating thousands of job openings from employers statewide. Free tools include a resume builder, skills matcher, labor market information, career exploration resources, and a training program finder. Register for free at caljobs.ca.gov. Available 24/7. Required for unemployment insurance recipients. Also connects to America's Job Centers and workforce training programs across California.
Online 24/7 · Visit Website