Caregiver to CNA Pathway: Building a Workforce Pipeline through Apprenticeship
Submitted By: Roberto Vasquez
Rancho Santiago Adult Education Consortium
Website: https://www.sccollege.edu/ce/
Type of Practice: Learner Transition
Program Area(s): CTE / Workforce Prep / Pre-apprenticeship
Region: Orange County
Consortia Involved: About Students Regional Consortium, Riverside, Rancho Santiago Adult Education Consortium
The Program of Practice
Santiago Canyon College Continuing Education developed the Caregiver to Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pathway to establish a structured workforce pipeline within the healthcare field. While caregiver and CNA roles share overlapping responsibilities, they have traditionally operated as separate training and employment tracks with limited coordination. In response to state efforts to expand apprenticeship opportunities, the college designed a model that connects caregiver training, employment, and CNA certification. In partnership with regional employers, this pathway creates a clear progression from entry-level caregiver roles to CNA careers through apprenticeship.
The Response
To address these gaps, Santiago Canyon College developed a noncredit, non-traditional apprenticeship model that builds on existing caregiver and CNA programs to create a structured transition into CNA certification and employment. The pathway aligns training, employment, and advancement through a sequenced model rather than multiple entry points.
The pathway includes:
1. Caregiver / Personal Aide Program (Noncredit)
Provides foundational training that prepares students for immediate employment with partner employers in caregiver roles.
2. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program (Noncredit)
Delivers required instruction and a clinical component necessary for CNA certification, with multiple cohorts offered each semester, including an accelerated format.
3. CNA Apprenticeship Program (Noncredit) (launching 2027)
Builds on caregiver employment by integrating paid on-the-job training with CNA preparation. Apprenticeship hours are completed in addition to the required CNA training and are structured to support competency-based progression.
This pipeline model supports students as they move from training into employment and advance toward CNA certification through a coordinated and employer-aligned structure. In partnership with regional employers, the model connects education, work-based learning, and career advancement into a scalable system.
The Unique Features of the Program
This model establishes a noncredit, non-traditional apprenticeship program, the first of its kind within Continuing Education at Santiago Canyon College. It is built on the alignment of core competencies between caregiver and CNA roles, allowing for a structured transition from entry-level employment into advanced training. The pathway integrates noncredit instruction, clinical training, and additional apprenticeship hours to support skill development in real work environments. Through this structure, students develop and demonstrate the core competencies required of Certified Nursing Assistants. The apprenticeship is designed as a competency-based model, requiring a minimum of six months of on-the-job training, with progression based on demonstrated mastery of skills and knowledge rather than time alone. By aligning CNA skill development with caregiver-based training settings, the model creates a clear and intentional workforce pipeline. This approach strengthens both student progression and employer engagement within the regional healthcare system.
The Outcome
The caregiver and CNA programs demonstrate strong enrollment and established workforce demand. To date, the Caregiver program has enrolled 307 students, with 84 students earning certificates. Many of these students enter through our ESL pathways with approximately 25% identifying a primary language other than English. The CNA program, established in 2017, has enrolled 3,071 students, with 511 students earning certificates. The CNA program currently offers five cohorts per semester, along with an accelerated offering designed to support students seeking quicker entry into the workforce.
The SCC CNA Apprenticeship program is anticipated to launch in Spring 2027 in partnership with three regional employers from the caregiver industry. The program is projected to begin with an initial cohort of six apprentices, with plans to scale both student participation and employer partnerships across the Orange area to expand access to apprenticeship opportunities over time.