Gavilan College received nearly $1 million from the California Strong Workforce Program for the upcoming academic year to expand Career Technical Education (CTE) programs leading to high demand, high wage jobs in the region, according to a Feb. 6 announcement.
The California Strong Workforce goal is to create 1 million more middle-skilled workers in partnership with the state’s 113 community colleges.
At Gavilan, the funding will go toward new training programs in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and hospitality, along with a pilot project in phlebotomy.
“The funds are tied to metrics that must be met, and can go up or down based on the metrics and meeting them,” said Sherrean Carr, CTE dean.
Gavilan received $639,000 directly and $308,000 for regional projects, according to the college’s press release.
The funding is allocated statewide based on job openings, unemployed adults and CTE full-time equivalent students. The college has a 26 percent enrollment of CTE students with an overall 80 percent success rate, according to the release. Each year the number of certificates and degrees awarded has increased, from 382 in 2014 to 403 in 2016.
Drone classes coming to San Martin Airport
The UAS classes will be held at the college’s newly opened airport hangar and facilities at San Martin Airport. Four classes are in various stages of development: Introduction to UAS; UAS maintenance technician; Aerial photography and videography; and UAS flight operations and pilot certification.
Trending careers in the hospitality industry
Four classes in hospitality are in the final stages of development, and the college plans to offer them beginning in Summer and Fall 2017 semesters. Those classes are: Introduction to hospitality and tourism management; sanitary practices in the hospitality industry; customer service in the multicultural workplace; and restaurant and banquet operations.
In addition to classes, the college will work with area businesses to develop internship opportunities for students in the hospitality courses.
HVAC classes taking shape
Gavilan will renovate space and acquire equipment for the HVAC classes. The curriculum for the pilot project in phlebotomy has been submitted to the state for approval.
The college is recruiting faculty to teach the HVAC and UAS classes. People interested can send an email to sc***@ga*****.edu for more information. Minimum qualifications are an AA degree and six years experience in the related field.
Gilroy Gardens Hiring
Gilroy Gardens is having a job fair Feb. 26 from noon-4 p.m. for people to work on rides, food sales, security, admissions, merchandise and games. Fill an application at gilroygardens.org/apply.
