Barstow, CA – Two of Barstow Community College’s Career and Technical Education programs earned the California Community Colleges’ Strong Workforce Stars recognition at the Bronze level for their success in improving student employment and wage outcomes through innovative programs in Welding and Automotive Technology.
Dr. Eva Bagg, Superintendent-President of Barstow Community College, said, “We have excellent instructors with significant work experience in the welding and automotive industries. For our students, this combination of instructional and professional expertise is making a huge difference in the jobs and salaries that our graduates are getting as they move into the workforce.”
Strong Workforce Stars is an annual recognition for career and technical education programs, within the California Community Colleges system whose graduates show significant gains in factors important for advancing social mobility – a substantial increase in earnings, attainment of a living wage and a job closely matched with the field of study. “Strong Workforce Stars career education programs are proven to help Californians increase their earning power,” said Van Ton-Quinlivan, executive vice chancellor for Workforce & Digital Futures.
The Bronze Stars recognition for the college’s Welding and Automotive Technology programs was determined by the State Chancellor’s Office for students that were enrolled in 2014-15 and have subsequently been employed and reported increased wages. Barstow graduates from these programs reported a 51% increase in earnings for the Welding graduates, and a 53% increase in earnings for the Automotive Technology graduates that responded to the state survey this year.
For more information about the Career and Technical Education programs offered at Barstow Community College, residents and prospective students can visit the campus at: 2700 Barstow Rd., Barstow, CA. The Student Services building in the middle of campus is a great place to start. Online inquiries can be made at the college website at: www.barstow.edu
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Barstow Community College is part of the California Community Colleges system, the largest system of higher education in the nation composed of 72 districts and 114 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. Community colleges supply workforce training, basic skills education and prepare students for transfer to four- year institutions. The State Chancellor’s Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. For more information about the community colleges, please visit http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/.
