How ORCA makes it work

Welcome to Our Story

Training Contributions: Employers participating in registered apprenticeship programs contribute to the cost of Related Supplemental Instruction (RSI)—the classroom portion of the apprenticeship.

• Wage Investment: Employers pay apprentices as they learn, reinforcing the “earn-and-learn” model.

• Hourly Allotment with Pre-Tax Savings: Employers typically pay a small hourly training allotment for each apprentice, which may qualify for pre-tax treatment, making it a cost-effective investment in workforce development.

• Return on Investment: On average, employers receive $1.47 in value for every $1 invested in apprenticeship programs, driven by increased productivity, reduced waste, and greater front-line innovation

• Capacity Building: By enrolling employees, farmers invest in upskilling their workforce, increasing productivity, retention, and long-term resilience.

💼 Employer Contributions

🏛️ State & Federal Grant Funding

California offers a range of apprenticeship-specific and adjacent funding sources, including

• Related Supplemental Instruction (RSI): Reimburses approved training providers for classroom instruction tied to registered apprenticeships.

• California Apprenticeship Initiative (CAI): Supports the creation and expansion of apprenticeship programs in emerging and underserved sectors.

• Apprenticeship Innovation Funding (AIF) and State Apprenticeship Expansion, Equity and Innovation Grants (SAEEI): Target equity, inclusion, and regional workforce needs.

• Employment Training Panel (ETP): Funds job training for current employees to improve competitiveness and productivity.

• Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC): Supports workforce development in rural areas, including agriculture and natural resource sectors.

These grants are often braided together, meaning programs combine multiple funding streams to cover instruction, coordination, outreach, and wraparound services.

🤝 Nonprofit Support & Donations

• Nonprofits like ORCA play a critical role in designing and delivering apprenticeship programs, especially in sectors like regenerative agriculture.

• Donations help fill gaps not covered by grants or employer contributions—such as outreach, mentorship, and community-building.

• ORCA also serves as a fiscal agent and intermediary, helping small employers access funding they might not otherwise qualify for.

🌱 ORCA’s Role: Education That Builds Businesses

By weaving these resources together, ORCA brings certified education directly to the farm—helping businesses become more productive and resilient while giving apprentices the skills, mentorship, and certification they need to grow into leadership roles. This model mirrors the realities of small business: self-sustaining, productivity-driven, and deeply invested in people.

Whether you're a farmer enrolling your employees or an apprentice ready to learn, ORCA ensures that every dollar, every lesson, and every relationship strengthens the soil—and the community—from the ground up.