Santa Ana College Invites Public to a Critical Conversation on October 10

Town Hall Meeting Focuses on Bridging the Skills Gap and Spurring Job Creation

WHAT Santa Ana College (SAC) and Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) are hosting a Critical Conversation about “Doing What Matters” for jobs and the economy. This “conversation” is one of 11 “critical conversations” spearheaded statewide by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. The town hall meeting will focus on how the system’s limited resources can be used to bridge the skills gap and spur job creation by aligning community college workforce training programs with the state’s regional economies.

Participants will delve into this vital topic that will help drive economic recovery in California. Locally, Santa Ana College and RSCCD are working to align their programs with current industry and job requirements. An example is SAC’s recently retooled welding program and the Orange County Bridge to Engineering partnership.

By investing in a full-time welding faculty member, creating a virtual welding training module, and strengthening industry partnerships, Santa Ana College took a lackluster program to a nationally certified program that is sought after by students seeking a well-paying and in-demand career.

A $5,000,000 US Employment and Training Administration grant has helped bring together the Santa Ana Workforce Investment Board; Santa Ana College; Saddleback College; California State University, Fullerton; University of California, Irvine; and other economic development and industry partners to address a critical need for engineering graduates. As part of the program, a “Math Jam” has been developed to allow students to accomplish two and a half years of math in nine months. The grant’s first cohort is in the process of going from pre-college math to a B.S. degree in engineering within the next five years.

WHERE Rancho Santiago Community College District

Board Room (Room 107)

2323 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92706

WHEN Wednesday, October 10 — Noon to 3:00 p.m.

WHO The following individuals may be available for interviews:

• Van Ton-Quinlivan, Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Economic Development, California Community College Colleges Chancellor’s Office
• Barry Russell, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, California Community College Colleges Chancellor’s Office
• Erlinda J. Martinez, Ed.D., President, Santa Ana College
• Raúl Rodríguez, Ph.D., Chancellor, Rancho Santiago Community College District

WHY Career Technical Education (CTE) instruction combines core academic coursework with technical and occupational knowledge to help advance students through postsecondary education and into career pathways. Of the 2.6 million students enrolled in California community colleges, approximately 56 percent are enrolled in CTE programs.

HOW To arrange for interviews, please contact Judy Iannaccone at (714) 480-7503 or iannaccone_judy@rsccd.edu.

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