The district will use the five-year Golden State Pathways Program award to strengthen health care, construction, computer science and other career pathways at local high schools.
Riverside Unified Expands Career Training Programs with $5.5 Million State Grant
The district will use the five-year Golden State Pathways Program award to strengthen health care, construction, computer science and other career pathways at local high schools.
Riverside Unified is expanding high-demand career pathways across its high schools, including Ramona High School's Construction Technology program, through the $5.5 million Golden State Pathways Program Grant. (Courtesy of RUSD)
Riverside Unified School District is expanding career training opportunities for students through a $5.5 million state grant aimed at preparing the next generation for high-demand jobs.
The Golden State Pathways Program grant from the California Department of Education will fund new and expanded Career Technical Education programs at district high schools over five years, through the 2028-29 school year. The funding supports pathways that integrate career skills training with core academic coursework, helping students transition from high school to college or careers.
"Our goal is to ensure every scholar has access to pathways that open doors to college, career, and lifelong success," Superintendent Dr. Sonia Llamas said. "This grant allows us to expand high-quality programs that give students real-world skills and meaningful opportunities to explore their futures."
The grant is part of more than $12 million in competitive funding Riverside Unified secured during the 2024-25 school year, including $3.3 million in new grants and $8.9 million in ongoing multi-year awards.
Board President Brent Lee said the competitive grants allow the district to expand programs while preserving general fund resources. "Securing these competitive grants helps us continue our strong commitment to career pathway expansion while ensuring district funds remain available for other priorities," he said.
A Riverside Polytechnic High School student practices hands-on skills in the Sports Medicine & Injury Prevention pathway, one of several Riverside Unified CTE programs expanded through the Golden State Pathways Program Grant. (Courtesy of RUSD)
The grant will expand several career pathways across district high schools. Health Careers & Patient Care programs will grow at Lincoln, Arlington, Raincross and Ramona high schools. Applied Computer Sciences pathways will expand at Arlington, North, Martin Luther King, Polytechnic and Riverside STEM Academy.
Other expanded programs include Automotive Technology at Lincoln High School, Sports Medicine & Injury Prevention at North and Polytechnic, Construction Technology at Ramona, Architectural Design at King, and an Education Program available to all district high school students.
Through the Golden State Pathways Program Grant, Riverside Unified is expanding access to high-quality college and career pathways at multiple high school sites. At Arlington High School, students are preparing for future opportunities through the Health Careers & Patient Care program. (Courtesy of RUSD)
The Golden State Pathways Program is designed to develop innovative college and career pathways in high-demand fields, with the goal of strengthening California's workforce and talent pipeline.
