Mission
To align priorities and drive collaboration across our Departments and partners to ensure safe and fair workplaces, deliver vital worker benefits, identify workforce trends, strengthen career pathways, and advance family-sustaining jobs for all workers in California.
We envision a California where:
- All individuals regardless of background, have pathways to career opportunities that reflect and build on their full potential.
- Every individual, especially those facing systemic barriers, has access to the vital and personalized benefits and services they need.
- Workers in every region of every community have the skill, support and opportunity to thrive in a changing global economy, contributing to strong and growing California businesses of all sizes.
- Every worker is treated with fairness and dignity, protected from exploitation and unsafe working conditions, and empowered with knowledge of their rights.
- Technology guided by empathy creates human-centered systems that work together to remove barriers and expand access, dignity and opportunity for all.
Who We Are
Established in 2002, the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (also known as LWDA or the Labor Agency) is the state’s first cabinet level body created to coordinate workforce programs.
The Agency leads seven state entities that serve California’s workers and businesses by expanding access to employment and training, enforcing labor laws, and administering key benefit programs.
Departments, Boards & Panels
Agricultural Labor Relations Board
ALRB protects the rights of agricultural workers to unionize and bargain collectively.
Employment Training Panel
ETP funds training programs to help workers develop new skills and advance in their careers.
California Workforce Development Board
CWDB develops policies and strategies to strengthen workforce development and job training.
Public Employment Relations Board
PERB oversees collective bargaining laws for public-sector employees.
Department of Industrial Relations
DIR enforces workplace laws, including wage, safety, and apprenticeship standards.
Employment Development Department
EDD administers unemployment insurance, workforce services, job training programs, disability insurance and paid family leave.
California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board
CUIAB is an independent administrative court that hears and decides unemployment insurance appeals filed by workers and employers.
What We Do
- We set strategic priorities to make sure workforce programs and labor policies support the goals of the State of California.
- We help ensure our departments and other entities we lead work well together to serve the people of California.
- We support and advance policies that improve workforce training and protect workers.
- We bring together our partners and other government agencies to help make services easier to access and ensure labor laws are properly enforced.
Priorities
Build Skills & Career Pathways for all of California’s Workers
Protect & Enhance Workers’ Rights
Deliver Essential Benefits & Services
Core Values
EQUITY
We advance equity by addressing disparities and creating an environment where everyone, regardless of background, has access to meaningful, family-sustaining employment opportunities and fair treatment.
INNOVATION
We drive innovation by embracing change, exploring new solutions, and adapting our strategies to meet the evolving needs of the workforce and labor markets.
COLLABORATION
We foster a culture of teamwork, valuing diverse perspectives – uniting and collaborating across roles and departments to create outcomes informed by and responsive to California communities.
SERVICE
We are dedicated to serving the needs of California by providing accessible, proactive and responsive programs, services and benefits that meet the diverse needs of California workers.
RESPECT
We treat all individuals – employees, partners, and the public – with respect, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering a culture of inclusivity.
LWDA Strategic Plan
2026-2029Our Strategic Plan lays out our vision for a stronger, more connected, and accessible system of services and labor protections for workers across California.
Find out more about how our shared vision and values guide us to support and develop our staff, strengthen collaboration, and better serve California’s workforce.
