On a mission to help meet the current and future demands of the region’s workforce and provide opportunities for low-income students, who historically have not had access to certain careers, the Rancho Santiago Community College District has secured nearly $8 million in grant funding from the state to fund a total of 16 pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs between the district’s two colleges.
Santa Ana College has received $720,000 for apprenticeships in automotive, culinary and computer support careers, as well as careers in forensics, human resources, and legal assistant and interpreter.
The grant funding also includes $1.125 million each for Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon Colleges’ Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship program and $1.5 million for SAC’s Bilingual Educator Apprenticeship program, which prepares students to become para-educational professionals for school districts.
Santiago Canyon College additionally has received $480,000 for biotechnology, accounting, nursing and medical assistant programs.
SCC’s grant funding also includes a $2.69 million federal Department of Labor grant to prepare students from underrepresented backgrounds for high-paying occupations in energy, utilities and construction.
In addition, this project will provide outreach to build awareness of these opportunities, with the hope that those who are not aware of, or not usually in these occupations, will be encouraged and supported to enter these fields, Elizabeth Arteaga, SCC’s dean of apprenticeships, and Sarah Santoyo, the college’s vice chancellor of educational services, wrote in an email.
The project will also provide comprehensive training programs and support systems and engage in targeted recruitment and orientation and support to increase access to high-paying, in-demand middle-skill jobs to address income gap disparities in the region and inequitable representation in the industry, Arteaga and Santoyo wrote.
Santiago Canyon College in Orange. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, contributing photographer)“Access is the critical issue for low-income and first-generation students,” they wrote. “Taking classes does not directly lead to employment, especially for students without any connections to the industry. This is a hurdle that apprenticeships and other work-based learning models address.”
SCC’s CalOptima grants support the development of medical assistants and licensed vocational nursing programs that require clinical experience.
The trajectory for health care workers is trending upward, especially in Orange County where the population of seniors is projected to rise steadily over the next 10 to 15 years.
“These programs will provide a foundation to develop future apprenticeships to support the workforce need in health care,” Arteaga and Santoyo wrote.
Apprenticeships also resolve other issues for students, regardless of their economic background.
Many students do not have professional connections in their fields of study, which puts them at a significant disadvantage.
After completing all the courses to earn a certificate or degree, students might still have difficulty finding employment in their field because they do not have connections in the industry to refer to or guide them.
Many students do not have professional connections in their fields of study or relevant work history or pertinent references on their resume.
Funding for apprenticeship programs is acquired through Proposition 98, a voter-approved initiative that provides funding for community colleges through the California Apprenticeship Initiative and New & Innovative Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Grant Programs.
Prop 98 funding is based on a combination of state General Fund revenue and local property taxes set aside by the legislature to support community colleges.
The initiative is part of the California Community Colleges’ ongoing efforts to meet the state’s need for an educated and skilled workforce and the governor’s goal of serving 500,000 earn-and-learn apprenticeships by 2029.
“Apprenticeships can help students gain skills for a specific career path,” Arteaga and Santoyo wrote. “And research shows that apprenticeships (result in) higher earning potential throughout their careers, provide opportunities for upskilling and career advancement, and can help students develop a lifelong learning mindset.”
Related Articles
Local News | OLLI-CSUF celebrates 45 years of inspiring retirees to discover their passions Local News | Rancho Santiago Community College District’s chancellor grateful for support on Measure G Local News | Board of Supervisors allocates $500,000 to Project Rebound for women’s housing Local News | Santiago Canyon College’s holiday party celebrates students who are parents Local News | UCLA police chief departs after criticism over handling of pro-Palestinian encampment melee Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( $8 million in grants will fund Rancho Santiago Community College District’s apprenticeship programs )
Also on site :
- Syria’s National Authority for Transitional Justice defines its plan
- ‘Mormon Wives’ Star Regrets Her Plastic Surgery — Here’s Why She’s Reversing It
- Prince William Reportedly Plans 'Radical' Change After Hiring Divorce Lawyers