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Career and Technical Education

On November 1, 2003, the Career Development Partnerships Unit and the Vocational Education Services Unit officially became one unit: Career Technical Education, under the leadership of Dean Ron Selge.

The Career Technical Education (CTE) Unit of the Economic Development and Workforce Preparation Division focuses on program coordination and advocacy, policy development and coordination with K-18 workforce preparation and career and technical education systems. Responsible for the implementation of the Vocational and Technical Education Act (VTEA), managing and coordinating activities that impact other interagency and intra-agency objectives. In addition, the CTE Unit is also responsible for the development, dissemination, and implementation of the California State Plan and the annual performance reports.

Visit http://www.cccco.edu/divisions/esed/cte/cte.htm for:

Information (Newsletters, E-Mail List Serves, External links, Forms, FAQs, Staff Directory, Memos, Presentations/Training, Resources and Reference Library, and Monthly Updates)
Programs (California Apprenticeship, Associate Degree Nursing, Career Development, Cooperative Work Experience, Tech Prep, Vocational Education, and Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Grants (VTEA IB Leadership Grants, VTEA IC Local Applications, 132 Certifications, Core Indicator Reports, ADN Nursing Funds, and Tech Prep)
Advisories (Statewide Advisories, Regional Consortia, Apprenticeship, Career Development, Real Estate, WEDAC).

VTEA

The Vocational Education Program under the Career and Technical Education Unit administers state and federal resources to all community college districts to enable individuals to achieve academic, vocational and technical knowledge and skills necessary to attain employment or further their education. Ensuring compliance and accountability with federal and state performance standards for workforce preparation and development, the focus of the Vocational Education Program:

provides essential information and technical assistance;
conducts programmatic and fiscal oversight;
maintains a comprehensive statewide statistical database for research and planning;
supports expansion of services and programs for underrepresented and special needs students; and encourages each college to establish a continuous quality improvement system.

For more information, visit http://www.cccco.edu/

Tech Prep

Tech Prep is funded though the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, and is a significant innovation in the education reform movement in the United States.

Tech Prep education is an articulated, planned sequence of study beginning in high school, and extending through at least two years of postsecondary education or an apprenticeship program. Programs can continue up to the Baccalaureate degree.

Emphasizing contextual learning and career pathways, Tech Prep is an important school-to-work transition strategy, helping all students make the connection between school and employment.

For more information, visit http://www.cccco.edu/divisions/esed/wfp/tech_prep/tech_prep.htm

Apprenticeship

To provide apprenticeship training for their employees, many employers partner with the California Community Colleges (CCC) or with the California Department of Education’s Regional Occupational Programs/Centers (ROPCs) and Adult Schools. The community colleges have approximately 16,200 apprentices enrolled in over160 apprenticeship programs comprised of a total of 66 trades/crafts titles located on 39 campuses. Apprentices receive on-the-job training via their employer, and then in the evening or weekend receive employer selected “related and supplemental instruction” (RSI). Through many of the RSI apprenticeship programs an apprentices can earn a certificate or degree (Associate of Arts, or Associate of Science). The apprenticeships are typically three to five years in length. The 2002-03 California Budget Act provides $12,729,000 for the apprenticeship RSI. Based on a mutually agreed on contract, a given employer/program sponsor and the community college district share this Budget Act funding for the total number of clock hours the apprentices attended the RSI instruction. All RSI apprenticeship programs offered by the community colleges must be approved by the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges as well as approved by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards which is a division within the California Department of Industrial Relations. For more information on apprenticeship, visit http://www.cccco.edu/divisions/esed/cte/programs/apprenticeship/apprenticeship.htm

Cooperative Education

Cooperative Work Experience Education is a work-based learning technique that entails a well-structured plan that integrates classroom knowledge with productive work experience in a business/industry work setting. It helps students clarify career goals, reinforces general or occupational academic or work skills, and assists in school-to-work transitions.

Work Based Learning Handbook: http://www.cccco.edu/divisions/esed/cte/programs/coop_work_exp/work-based_learning_handbook.pdf

Work-based Learning Resources http://www.wblconnections.com/

Workforce Investment Act

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 restructures a multitude of workforce development programs into an integrated workforce investment system that can respond to the employment needs of its customers - employers, current workers, unemployed workers, workers laid-off due to restructuring or downsizing, and new entrants to the labor force.

Locally-operated, demand-driven workforce investment systems can increase the employment, retention, earnings and occupational skill attainment of participants through improved career information and guidance, job search assistance, and training. Achieving these goals will improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of California.

Today's workers, whether new or experienced, must engage in a continuing process of managing their career development, recognizing new career options and translating their skills into new opportunities as well as developing their skills and abilities to perform effectively in changing work environments. And it is in these areas that California Community Colleges play a vital role. For more information, visit http://www.cccco.edu/