Growth Sector seeks to develop pathways to economic self-sufficiency extending from community college to high-paying careers in STEM. Earn While You Learn!

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Growth Sector's EDAP Expo at CSULA

On August 1, 2025, Growth Sector, in partnership with California State University, Los Angeles, and Caltrans, successfully hosted the inaugural Building Bridges to EDAP Careers Expo, an inspiring day that spotlighted a groundbreaking new model for advancing equitable access to high-wage, high-growth careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Held at Cal State LA, the event gathered students, faculty, public sector leaders, and employers to mark the launch of the EDAP, Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Pathway, a bold initiative aimed at creating direct, supported pathways from community college to bachelor's degrees and employment in civil and general engineering.

The event brought together more than 100 students, including Summer Bridge participants from Los Angeles City College (LACC), East Los Angeles College (ELAC), and Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC), along with 25 current STEM engineering interns from Cal State LA’s Summer Making, Academic Prep, and Research for Transfer Students (SMART) Internship Program. Attendees engaged in a full day of interactive activities, industry panels, and networking with partners from the public and private sectors.

The Challenges:

Economic Challenges

High paying jobs, especially in STEM fields require a B.S. degree.

Employers increasingly are seeking prior related work, internship, or research experience.

Student Challenges

Unaware of the possibilities and opportunities that exist within STEM fields.

No clear, supported pathway for most students from entry to community college to STEM degree.

Need for financial support to stay in school.

Growth Sector’s Strategic Response

Growth Sector’s Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Pathway

The STEM Core Pathway combines academic learning leading to a B.S. degree with paid research and work experience.
This multi-year, year-round initiative seeks to open engineering opportunities to more and more diverse community college students.

Step 1 - Summer

(year 1)

Participate in STEM Core Summer Bridge
$1,500-$2,000 stipend

Step 3

(year 2)

University Research Internship/Paid employer internships
$6,400-$8,000 in wages
Employer driven research internships at four year universities
Industry internships with partner employers such as National Labs, Lockheed Martin, Caltrans and others

Step 5

(year 3-5)

Transfer and part time industry work until BS degree graduation
Earn up to $22,000 per year
Continue apprenticeship, working part-time during academic year and full-time during summer
Continue receiving academic support

Beyond

Engineering careers
Average starting wage: $100-150,000/yr and above

Pre-Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship

Step 2

(year 1)

STEM Core Coursework (Math, Engineering) at your community college

Step 4

(year 2)

Continue transfer coursework + begin apprenticeship
Part-time wages up to $20,000/yr