Workforce Development
Employer Engagement Managers
Employer Engagement Managers (EEMs) serve as sector generalists for employer outreach on behalf of the region’s colleges, connecting them to local employers in support of student workforce outcomes. EEMs conduct outreach to area businesses, participate in local industry/business meetings, partner with chambers of commerce, assist with community college employer advisories, and facilitate interactions between employers and community colleges.
Job Developers
Job Developers work to establish job pathways for the region’s community college students. They provide specialized services and resources to students along a spectrum of workforce readiness areas, such as workshops, mock interviews, resume writing, and identifying job interests to assist with job searches. Job Developers also collaborate with local employers and businesses to identify opportunities for student employment, apprenticeships, and internships.
Not-For-Credit Workforce Training
Since 2022, IEDRC has regularly invested regional SWP funds in not-for-credit workforce training.
To date, the IEDRC has helped 310+ individuals earn industry-recognized certificates and credentials, as well as place 170+ individuals into high-wage, in-demand jobs.
Some examples of programs this funding has supported include:
- San Bernardino CCD collaboration with the Community Health Association Inland Southern Region (CHAISR)
- College of the Desert’s Partnership and Community (PaCE) Training Center
- Victor Valley College’s partnerships with Desert Valley Hospital and Providence St. Mary Medical Center to offer a Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy Training Program.
For more information, contact info@desertcolleges.org
Clinical Site Placement
The Clinical Placement Coordinator (CPC) initiative in the Inland Empire was developed in 2016 to overcome a critical barrier in nursing and allied health education: the shortage of clinical placements. Limited capacity at clinical sites, combined with increasing competition from private institutions, has made it difficult for community colleges to expand programs and meet regional workforce needs. The CPC role directly addresses this challenge by ensuring that programs have sufficient placements to support student progression and completion.
CPCs serve as dedicated liaisons between colleges, clinical sites, faculty, and regulatory bodies. Their duties include managing over 500 affiliation agreements regionally, scheduling rotations for more than 2,500 students annually, onboarding students and faculty to meet health and safety requirements, and supporting simulation labs to supplement or replace clinical hours. They also coordinate faculty development to strengthen teaching, evaluation, and simulation practices.
For more information contact Wendy Deras at wederas@collegeofthedesert.edu.
Apprenticeship
In the 2017-18 program year, the LAUNCH initiative was created to expand and modernize the existing apprenticeship models at regional community colleges. After a few years of demonstrated success, LAUNCH expanded into a statewide resource for the entire California Community College System.
The LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network is proud to serve the Inland Empire/Desert Region, supporting over 700 active apprentices during the 2025–2026 academic year and celebrating more than 100 program completions in 2024–2025 academic year.
Nine community colleges across the region are actively engaged, working together to expand access to earn-and-learn career pathways that meet local workforce needs.
Learn More About LAUNCH
A Look at Apprenticeships in Our Region
Apprenticeship Sectors
Advanced Manufacturing & Industrial Technology
Automotive
Early Childhood Education
Health
IT & Business Professional Services
Social & Human Services