California – Employment & Job Training
California Reentry-Friendly Employment & Job Training Directory
Employment is one of the biggest protective factors against reoffending. This directory highlights workforce programs, job centers, and reentry-focused employment services across California that may work with people on probation, parole, or with a criminal record. Always confirm eligibility and supervision rules before enrolling.
Statewide & Online Programs
Available statewide / multiple regions
✅ Reentry-focused employment & training
America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) – Justice-Involved Services
Network of one-stop career centers that can provide career coaching, training vouchers, and placement support. Many locations have dedicated services for justice-involved job seekers or “Prison to Employment” projects. Ask to speak with the reentry specialist.
Network of one-stop career centers that can provide career coaching, training vouchers, and placement support. Many locations have dedicated services for justice-involved job seekers or “Prison to Employment” projects. Ask to speak with the reentry specialist.
Search “AJCC + your county” or visit CalJOBS and local workforce board pages.
CALPIA – Transition to Employment & Career Technical Education
For people who worked in California Prison Industry Authority jobs or CTE programs. Provides job-readiness support, documentation assistance, and connections to employers familiar with CALPIA training as you reenter the community.
For people who worked in California Prison Industry Authority jobs or CTE programs. Provides job-readiness support, documentation assistance, and connections to employers familiar with CALPIA training as you reenter the community.
Ask institutional staff or your counselor about CALPIA reentry services before release.
CDCR – Career Pathways & In-Prison Job Training
In-custody work and career pathways (construction, computer coding, dog training, and more) that can transfer into post-release jobs. Often linked to local workforce boards through statewide Corrections-Workforce partnerships.
In-custody work and career pathways (construction, computer coding, dog training, and more) that can transfer into post-release jobs. Often linked to local workforce boards through statewide Corrections-Workforce partnerships.
If still in custody, ask your CCI/counselor how to connect to local AJCC or reentry partners upon release.
HIRE – Helping Justice-Involved Reenter Employment Initiative
Statewide initiative funding community-based organizations to provide training, reskilling, supportive services, and sometimes direct cash assistance for people returning from incarceration. Services are delivered through local grantees such as CEO and workforce boards.
Statewide initiative funding community-based organizations to provide training, reskilling, supportive services, and sometimes direct cash assistance for people returning from incarceration. Services are delivered through local grantees such as CEO and workforce boards.
Look for “HIRE” projects through your local workforce board or reentry nonprofits.
🛠️ General workforce / job centers (confirm justice support)
CalJOBS Statewide Job Search Portal
Online job board and career tools used by AJCCs statewide. Create a profile, upload a résumé, and search for employers participating in local reentry-friendly initiatives.
Online job board and career tools used by AJCCs statewide. Create a profile, upload a résumé, and search for employers participating in local reentry-friendly initiatives.
Check job postings for “second chance”, “fair chance”, or “backgrounds considered”.
Reentry Program & Job Search Tools (CareerOneStop)
Federal directory that lists local reentry programs, including many in California. Helpful starting point if you are not sure what exists in your county.
Federal directory that lists local reentry programs, including many in California. Helpful starting point if you are not sure what exists in your county.
Search by your ZIP and look for employment & training reentry programs.
Los Angeles County
Counties: Los Angeles
✅ Reentry-focused employment & job training
Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) – Los Angeles
Provides immediate paid transitional work, daily pay, job-readiness classes, and one-on-one coaching exclusively for people recently released from incarceration. Supports participants to move into unsubsidized jobs and build long-term career paths.
Provides immediate paid transitional work, daily pay, job-readiness classes, and one-on-one coaching exclusively for people recently released from incarceration. Supports participants to move into unsubsidized jobs and build long-term career paths.
Ask your PO or case manager for a referral, or contact CEO directly.
Chrysalis – Changing Lives Through Jobs
Free job readiness classes, résumé and interview coaching, plus a transitional jobs social enterprise (street maintenance, staffing, and more). Works with people facing multiple barriers including justice involvement and homelessness.
Free job readiness classes, résumé and interview coaching, plus a transitional jobs social enterprise (street maintenance, staffing, and more). Works with people facing multiple barriers including justice involvement and homelessness.
Locations in Downtown LA, Santa Monica, San Fernando Valley & Orange County.
LA County America’s Job Center – Justice-Involved Services
LA County’s AJCC network has dedicated “Justice-Involved Individuals” services including job placement, internship/apprenticeship opportunities, and connections to supportive services for people on probation or returning from incarceration.
LA County’s AJCC network has dedicated “Justice-Involved Individuals” services including job placement, internship/apprenticeship opportunities, and connections to supportive services for people on probation or returning from incarceration.
Look for the Justice-Involved section on the LA County AJCC site or visit your nearest AJCC.
INVEST / AYE-LA – Adults Formerly on Probation
Employment services for adults formally on LA County Probation, including job search and placement assistance, vocational training, résumé help, and expungement resources, delivered through AJCC sites such as East LA / West San Gabriel.
Employment services for adults formally on LA County Probation, including job search and placement assistance, vocational training, résumé help, and expungement resources, delivered through AJCC sites such as East LA / West San Gabriel.
Ask specifically about “INVEST” or similar probation-focused programs at your AJCC.
🛠️ General workforce / job centers (confirm justice support)
Los Angeles Reentry Employment Resources & Guides
County and nonprofit partners maintain online guides to job search with a record, industries that hire, and tips for résumés, background checks, and interviews.
County and nonprofit partners maintain online guides to job search with a record, industries that hire, and tips for résumés, background checks, and interviews.
Use as a learning tool, then combine with the reentry programs listed above.
Bay Area / East Bay / Silicon Valley
Counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara
✅ Reentry-focused employment & job training
Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) – Oakland & Bay Area
CEO Oakland provides immediate paid transitional work, coaching, and job placement services for people returning home from incarceration in Alameda and surrounding counties.
CEO Oakland provides immediate paid transitional work, coaching, and job placement services for people returning home from incarceration in Alameda and surrounding counties.
Ask for CEO if you are leaving state prison or local jail to the East Bay.
Rubicon Programs – East Bay Workforce & Reentry
Comprehensive workforce and economic mobility services for East Bay residents, including many justice-impacted participants. Rubicon operates multiple sites plus the Center of Re-Entry Excellence (CORE) and the Eden Area AJCC in Hayward.
Comprehensive workforce and economic mobility services for East Bay residents, including many justice-impacted participants. Rubicon operates multiple sites plus the Center of Re-Entry Excellence (CORE) and the Eden Area AJCC in Hayward.
Ask about services for people on probation, parole, or returning from incarceration.
Center of Re-Entry Excellence (CORE) – Oakland
One-stop hub for justice-impacted individuals and families in Alameda County, offering employment, financial, housing, and family support in one location.
One-stop hub for justice-impacted individuals and families in Alameda County, offering employment, financial, housing, and family support in one location.
Good starting point if you just came home to Oakland or nearby cities.
Reentry Success Center – Richmond
Safe, welcoming hub in Richmond for justice-impacted individuals and families, with connections to employment, training, and other services.
Safe, welcoming hub in Richmond for justice-impacted individuals and families, with connections to employment, training, and other services.
Ask staff to connect you to local job training and hiring partners.
CEO & Reentry Employment Partners – San Jose / Santa Clara
Santa Clara County’s reentry resource guide lists CEO and other job training partners that accept probation referrals and help with employment barriers.
Santa Clara County’s reentry resource guide lists CEO and other job training partners that accept probation referrals and help with employment barriers.
Ask your probation officer about employment referrals listed in the county reentry guide.
🛠️ General workforce / job centers (confirm justice support)
Eden Area America’s Job Center – Hayward
Full-service AJCC operated by Rubicon, offering education and training referrals, career coaching, job search help, and on-the-job training for Alameda County residents.
Full-service AJCC operated by Rubicon, offering education and training referrals, career coaching, job search help, and on-the-job training for Alameda County residents.
When enrolling, disclose your supervision status and ask about reentry-focused programs.
San Diego & Imperial Counties
Counties: San Diego, Imperial
✅ Reentry-focused employment & job training
Second Chance – Employment & Reentry Services (San Diego)
Long-standing reentry program offering job-readiness training, soft skills, wraparound support, and job placement for justice-involved adults. Many graduates secure full-time work shortly after completing training.
Long-standing reentry program offering job-readiness training, soft skills, wraparound support, and job placement for justice-involved adults. Many graduates secure full-time work shortly after completing training.
Good fit if you want structured, “tough-love” job readiness plus strong employer links.
Reentry Works – San Diego Workforce Partnership
County workforce initiative focused on people in jail/prison and those already released, providing pre-release training, post-release career services, paid “earn & learn” opportunities, and supportive services.
County workforce initiative focused on people in jail/prison and those already released, providing pre-release training, post-release career services, paid “earn & learn” opportunities, and supportive services.
Ask your counselor, PO, or jail liaison about Reentry Works referrals.
Career Services for Justice-Involved Young Adults (16–24)
Specialized services through the San Diego Workforce Partnership for young people with justice involvement, including coaching, training, and placement support.
Specialized services through the San Diego Workforce Partnership for young people with justice involvement, including coaching, training, and placement support.
Call or email the Workforce Partnership and mention justice-involved youth services.
🛠️ General workforce / job centers (confirm justice support)
San Diego Workforce Partnership – Career Centers
Network of job centers and training programs open to all job seekers, with many staff familiar with serving people who have records.
Network of job centers and training programs open to all job seekers, with many staff familiar with serving people who have records.
When registering, disclose supervision status and ask for reentry-savvy staff.
Sacramento & Northern Counties
Counties: Sacramento, Yolo, Nevada, Placer, Sutter, Yuba (and nearby)
✅ Reentry-focused employment & job training
Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) – Reentry Programs
Regional reentry programs helping parolees and justice-involved individuals transition from prison, with education, career guidance, and referrals to employment and training resources across several counties.
Regional reentry programs helping parolees and justice-involved individuals transition from prison, with education, career guidance, and referrals to employment and training resources across several counties.
Check SCOE’s Reentry Programs page for the site closest to your county.
211 Sacramento – Reentry Employment Programs
Central referral line that can connect you to local reentry employment programs in Sacramento and nearby counties, including organizations that specialize in job placement after incarceration.
Central referral line that can connect you to local reentry employment programs in Sacramento and nearby counties, including organizations that specialize in job placement after incarceration.
Dial 2-1-1 and ask specifically for “reentry employment programs”.
Dial 2-1-1
Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative – New Choice Program
Program focused on reducing recidivism through case management, employment placement, and supportive services for the criminal-justice population in the Sacramento area.
Program focused on reducing recidivism through case management, employment placement, and supportive services for the criminal-justice population in the Sacramento area.
Ask if you can self-refer or need a referral from probation/parole.
🛠️ General workforce / job centers (confirm justice support)
Sacramento Works – Job Centers
Network of job centers offering free career and job placement assistance, training referrals, and workshops to Sacramento County residents.
Network of job centers offering free career and job placement assistance, training referrals, and workshops to Sacramento County residents.
Ask staff if they partner with local reentry or jail/prison programs.
Central Valley (Fresno, Kern & Surrounding)
Counties: Fresno, Kern, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Tulare (and nearby)
✅ Reentry-focused employment & job training
Reentry Employment Referrals – 211 & Local Partners
In the Central Valley, many justice-involved employment programs are accessed through county probation, sheriffs’ reentry units, or 211 referral lines, which can connect you to local training and job placement partners.
In the Central Valley, many justice-involved employment programs are accessed through county probation, sheriffs’ reentry units, or 211 referral lines, which can connect you to local training and job placement partners.
Dial 211 in your county and request “reentry employment and job training programs”.
Dial 2-1-1
🛠️ General workforce / job centers (confirm justice support)
Central Valley AJCCs & Workforce Boards
America’s Job Center sites in counties like Fresno, Kern, and Stanislaus offer training vouchers, job search help, and industry-specific training that may be open to people with records.
America’s Job Center sites in counties like Fresno, Kern, and Stanislaus offer training vouchers, job search help, and industry-specific training that may be open to people with records.
Search “AJCC + your county name” for the closest career center.
Online / Local AJCC
Inland Empire (Riverside & San Bernardino)
Counties: Riverside, San Bernardino
✅ Reentry-focused employment & job training
Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) – Inland Empire
CEO’s Inland Empire site serves Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, providing transitional jobs, daily pay, coaching, and job placement for people returning from incarceration.
CEO’s Inland Empire site serves Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, providing transitional jobs, daily pay, coaching, and job placement for people returning from incarceration.
Ask your PO if they already partner with CEO for referrals.
Prison to Employment (P2E) – Inland Empire
Regional project linking justice-involved residents to training, supportive services, and employment via the Riverside and San Bernardino AJCC network.
Regional project linking justice-involved residents to training, supportive services, and employment via the Riverside and San Bernardino AJCC network.
Ask at your local AJCC about P2E or justice-involved projects funded by CWDB.
🛠️ General workforce / job centers (confirm justice support)
Inland Empire America’s Job Centers
AJCC locations in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties offering standard job center services, plus connections to P2E and other justice-focused projects.
AJCC locations in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties offering standard job center services, plus connections to P2E and other justice-focused projects.
Search “America’s Job Center Riverside” or “San Bernardino AJCC”.
Local AJCC
Central Coast (Santa Barbara / Monterey & Surrounding)
Counties: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz
✅ Reentry-focused employment & job training
County Reentry & Workforce Partnerships – Central Coast
Central Coast counties often coordinate reentry employment through sheriff or probation reentry units and workforce boards, connecting participants to local employers, training providers, and AJCCs.
Central Coast counties often coordinate reentry employment through sheriff or probation reentry units and workforce boards, connecting participants to local employers, training providers, and AJCCs.
Ask probation, the sheriff’s reentry team, or your local AJCC for reentry-specific employment referrals.
Check county site / AJCC
🛠️ General workforce / job centers (confirm justice support)
Central Coast America’s Job Centers
Local AJCC career centers providing training vouchers, job search workshops, and employer connections; may work with people on supervision depending on employer requirements.
Local AJCC career centers providing training vouchers, job search workshops, and employer connections; may work with people on supervision depending on employer requirements.
Search “America’s Job Center + Santa Barbara / Monterey / Santa Cruz”.
Local AJCC
How this directory works: Programs marked with ✅ Reentry-focused serve justice-involved people as a core part of their mission (for example, transitional jobs for people returning from incarceration or probation-specific employment projects). Programs marked 🛠️ General workforce are job centers or training programs that may accept people with records but do not exclusively focus on reentry.
Always verify details: Policies, funding, and eligibility change often. Before enrolling or counting anything toward your supervision plan, call ahead, ask whether they work with people on probation or parole, and confirm any documents or referrals you need. If you are in doubt, talk to your supervising officer or attorney.
Get listed or suggest an update: Are you a California workforce program, reentry nonprofit, or employer initiative that serves justice-involved job seekers? Email contact@oacra.app with your program details so we can review your listing for a future update.
