California Oil Workers Readiness Program

In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom announced an executive order to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. Worker representatives raised an urgent question: what would happen to the thousands of Californians employed in oil and gas? The Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund (DOGWF) was established to ensure these workers would not be left behind, but instead supported in transitioning into “good jobs” across industries, jobs that are stable, well-compensated, and provide clear pathways for advancement.

​

Bienestar Community Economics supported the United Steelworker Union’s Steelworkers Charitable and Educational Organization (SCEO) to bring this vision to life through the California Oil Workers Readiness Program (CORP).

Bienestar’s work included:

​

• Designing and facilitating regional strategy meetings to align labor, workforce, and community partners.

​

• Conducting research and analysis on career pathways and transition opportunities for oil and gas workers.

​

• Supporting development of the peer-led career navigator initiative, which trained worker-leaders to serve as trusted guides for their peers.

​

• Providing advisory support to strengthen program design and implementation.

​

The CORP pilot, led by SCEO, offers a comprehensive support model: peer navigators to connect workers with resources, financial and enrollment assistance for training and education, job search and skills training opportunities, and connections to critical wraparound services such as healthcare, unemployment, housing, and counseling.

​

This innovative program demonstrates how labor unions, workforce organizations, and community partners can work together to ensure workers have the tools and support to transition into quality, future-ready careers. Success from this pilot provides both evidence and a model for how California can prioritize workers while leading a just energy transition.