Regional network

OCAN — Orange County Apprenticeship Network

A connected regional ecosystem linking colleges, employers, and intermediaries to advance traditional and non-traditional apprenticeship across Orange County.

How OCAN works

A short look at the regional apprenticeship network, plus how the OCAN co-chairs connect employer demand with college program capacity.

OCAN: building tomorrow's workforce across Orange County.

OCAN co-chair responsibilities: shared strategic leadership including network strategy and operations, regional representation and advocacy, and performance monitoring, plus specialized liaison roles for college support and readiness, industry and employer outreach, and the matchmaking function connecting employer needs with college program capacity — Leading the charge — OCAN co-chair responsibilities and liaison roles.

Orange County Regional Consortium · Hosted by Rancho Santiago Community College District · 2323 N. Broadway, Suite 350, Santa Ana, CA 92706

Orange County Apprenticeship Network (OCAN)

Vision

Provide the Orange County region with a connected apprenticeship ecosystem to support the advancement of traditional and non-traditional apprenticeship programs.

Mission

To present and connect college and employer partners with the resources, expertise, and opportunities needed to develop, implement, and evaluate apprenticeship programs that align with their institutional, organizational, and workforce needs.

Objective

Work collaboratively with colleges, intermediaries, and employers to advance apprenticeship programs in the Orange County region.

Outcomes OCAN is working toward

250 non-traditional DAS registered apprentices in OC by 2029
1 new non-traditional registered apprenticeship program at each college by 2029
Collect and report registered apprenticeship outcome data in the region
Provide grant support for applications focused on apprenticeship development
Facilitate region-wide apprenticeship convenings designed to share best practices and model programs

Roles and responsibilities

Develop OCAN meeting agendas, priorities, workplans, and annual goals.
Assess and coordinate solutions to college and employer needs.
Promote the network to increase awareness and recruit intermediaries.
Facilitate OCAN meetings and keep members informed and engaged.
Coordinate the connection between employer needs, college capacity, and intermediary support.
Monitor apprenticeship development, expansion, reporting, and employer engagement.
Represent OCRC/OCAN at statewide and regional meetings and events.
Report OCAN accomplishments, challenges, resource needs, and recommendations to regional leadership.

Employer onboarding steps

1Sign the Letter of Intent
Start with a Letter of Intent, and eventually a Participation Agreement, to formalize your role as an employer partner.
2Develop the apprentice opportunity
Create the posting or job role outline, including the wage progression the apprentice will follow.
3Begin hiring apprentice candidates
Interview and hire candidates — pre-screened by OCAN where applicable — while retaining full control of your process.

Benefits to employers

Skilled workforce development
In-company training built to meet specific company needs, ensuring a pipeline of qualified talent.
Increased productivity
Apprentices contribute to daily operations while learning, adding value to the business from day one.
Improved employee retention
Investing in apprentices fosters loyalty, reducing turnover and hiring costs.

Your support team

OCAN supports employers throughout the apprenticeship journey — developing customized training outlines and timelines tailored to industry needs, coordinating program registration with DAS/DOL, and providing ongoing evaluation. As your liaison, OCAN connects you with apprenticeship intermediaries, community colleges, the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, and Workforce Investment Boards. From candidate screening to participation agreements and WIOA contracts, OCAN keeps your program running smoothly.

How it works

Employers retain full control over interviewing and hiring, with the added benefit of up-skilling current employees. You assign a supervising mentor to each apprentice or group of apprentices, and OCAN intermediaries support them with a Train-the-Trainer series. Apprentices sign your employment contract alongside the apprenticeship participation agreement managed by OCAN intermediaries.

Apprenticeship intermediaries

OCAN works with these intermediaries to register, administer, and expand apprenticeship programs with employers and colleges.

ICAN — Industry Centered Apprenticeship Network

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) apprenticeship intermediary supporting employers with program setup, registration, compliance, mentoring, recruitment, and technical assistance.

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Network Kinection

Apprenticeship intermediary connecting employers, educators, and workforce partners to build and administer registered apprenticeship programs.

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LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network

Statewide intermediary powered by the California Community Colleges, supporting apprenticeship development, registration, and expansion across the state.

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OCAN co-chairs

Dr. Jon Caffery

OCAN Co-Chair

jcaffery@saddleback.edu

Dr. Jorge Saucedo-Daniel

OCAN Co-Chair

saucedo-daniel_jorge@rsccd.edu

Download the OCAN Employer's Guide View the OCAN Faculty Field Guide

Serving the Orange County community colleges

Coast CCD · North Orange County CCD · Rancho Santiago CCD · South Orange County CCD

Coastline College
Golden West College
Orange Coast College
Cypress College
Fullerton College
North Orange Continuing Education
Santa Ana College
Santiago Canyon College
Irvine Valley College
Saddleback College

Want to learn more about OCAN?

Request more information or schedule a meeting with an OCAN co-chair to explore how your college, employer, or intermediary can join the network.

OCAN co-chairs: Dr. Jon Caffery and Dr. Jorge Saucedo-Daniel