May 8, 2018 – Santa Rosa Junior College’s (SRJC) Career and Technical Education (CTE) has been honored by the California Community Colleges’ Strong Workforce Stars at the Gold, Silver or Bronze Star levels in 25 programs. Ranging from well-known courses of study such as Nursing and Police Academy, to less well-known but still impressive programs such as Human Resource Administration, SRJC’s CTE department has achieved significant success in improving student employment and wage outcomes.
Strong Workforce Stars is an annual recognition for career education programs, also known as career technical education, within the California Community Colleges system, whose graduates show significant gains in factors important for advancing social mobility.
The 2018 Strong Workforce Stars were given to career education programs throughout the state in 12 industry sectors, based on earnings gains, living wage attainment, and employment in a field of study. Those named Strong Workforce Stars met one or more of the following thresholds:
- An increase in earnings by 50 percent or more, based on a match to the state wage file, for students who earned a certificate or degree and were last enrolled in 2015-16.
- Attainment of the regional living wage by 70 percent or more, based on a match to the state wage file, for students who earned a certificate or degree and were last enrolled in 2015-16.
- 90 percent or more are employed in a job similar to their field of study, according to the Career Technical Education Outcomes Survey, for students who earned a certificate or degree and were last enrolled in 2014-15.
“We are so proud that the California Community Colleges’ Strong Workforce Stars has acknowledged what we already know: that SRJC’s career education makes a significant difference in the financial and career success of our students,” said Superintendent/President Dr. Frank Chong. “These differences improve the lives of thousands of SRJC students every year and that continues into the future of the students and their families.”
“Our Career Education programs at Santa Rosa Junior College prepare students to be college or career ready and have lifelong success,” said Jerry Miller, Senior Dean, Career & Technical Education & Economic Development. “Our dedicated faculty and staff are experts in their field and eager to assist all students in achieving their goals. SRJC’s state-of-the-art-facilities are second to none, allowing students to succeed in the workforce with a current job, or to transfer to a four-year institution. We encourage prospective students of all ages to discover an education designed for them!”
GOLD STARS (Met all three thresholds)
- Nursing: 216% increase in earnings, 90% of students attained the regional living wage and 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
- Vocational Nursing: 143% increase in earnings, 91% of students attained the regional living wage and 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
SILVER STARS (Met two of the thresholds)
- Basic Police Officer Academy: 111% increase in earnings and 77% of students attained the regional living wage
- Fire Technology: 73% of students attained the regional living wage and 91% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
- Human Resource Administration: 74% of students attained the regional living wage and 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
- Pharmacy Technician: 81% increase in earnings and 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
- Viticulture: 62% increase in earnings and 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
BRONZE STARS (Met one of the thresholds)
- Agriculture Business, Sales and Service: 162% increase in earnings
- Alcohol and Controlled Substances: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
- Administration of Justice: 83% of students attained the regional living wage
- Automotive Technology: 148% increase in earnings
- Clinical Medical Assisting: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
- Culinary Arts: 86% increase in earnings
- Electronics and Electric Technology: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
- Fitness Trainer: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
- Floriculture -Floristry: 56% increase in earnings
- Human Services: 59% increase in earnings
- Medical Assisting: 182% increase in earnings
- Paralegal: 63% increase in earnings
- Paramedic: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
- Radiologic Technology: 118% increase in earnings
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship: 90% increase in earnings
- Veterinary Technician (Licensed): 54% increase in earnings
- Water and Wastewater Technology: 80% of students attained the regional living wage
“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. “With the introduction of levels this year, we are able to highlight those programs that are seeing significant results, as well as those that are on the rise toward even greater success.”
More information about SRJC’s Career and Technical Education programs is available at https://cte.santarosa.edu.
ABOUT SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE
Santa Rosa Junior College is known for academic excellence, superb faculty and staff, comprehensive student services and beautiful facilities. This beloved community institution, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary throughout 2018, enrolls approximately 26,000 students each semester. SRJC is dedicated to making higher education accessible and successful for all. Student life is vibrant, with over 50 clubs, conference-winning athletic teams, nationally ranked speech and debate teams, and outstanding theatre arts, music and dance programs. The College has campuses in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, plus sites including 365-acre Shone Farm, Southwest Santa Rosa Center and the Public Safety Training Center, a regional training center. The SRJC Foundation, which supports student scholarships and internships, instructional programs and equipment, and faculty development, is ranked number one among California community college foundations. A 2015 study found that the local economic impact of SRJC totaled $1.6 billion and over 26,000 local jobs.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Community colleges supply workforce training, basic skills education and prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. More information about the community colleges is available at http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/.
