The California EDGE Coalition’s 2026 Policy Priorities reflect a shared commitment to building a more inclusive, resilient, and equitable economy—one where all Californians can access high-quality jobs and long-term economic security. As a nonpartisan alliance of business, labor, workforce, education, and social justice organizations, EDGE advances policies that connect education, workforce systems, and economic opportunity to meet the needs of workers, employers, and communities statewide.
At the center of EDGE’s 2026 policy priorities is advancing equitable pathways to quality jobs, including expanded access to apprenticeships, work-based learning, adult education, and stackable credentials. EDGE also supports implementation of ACR 16 to better serve Opportunity Youth and strengthen statewide education-to-employment pathways that reduce disparities and promote upward mobility.
Recognizing that access to work depends on more than training alone, EDGE prioritizes investments in the social determinants of work, such as affordable childcare, housing, transportation, food security, health care, and digital access. These supports are essential to ensuring Californians can fully participate in education and employment.
EDGE’s priorities also emphasize strong data and policy alignment, calling for continued investment in California’s Cradle-to-Career Data System and coordinated implementation of the Governor’s Master Plan for Career Education and the Interagency Council. These efforts promote data-driven decision-making, transparency, and accountability across education and workforce systems.
Through these priorities, California EDGE Coalition is advancing a vision of shared prosperity—where equitable access to education and skills training enables all Californians to contribute to and benefit from a thriving state economy.
You can read our complete 2026 Policy Priorities here.