Career Programs Recognized for Economic Results

Students enrolled in 30 career education programs at Pasadena City College are likely to see a boost in their careers following their studies, according to new data released by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

Thirty job-training programs at the college – from cosmetology to biotechnology, and many in between – have been recognized as “Strong Workforce Stars” under a statewide program designed to drive success in earning power and social mobility. The program is part of the state’s $200 million annual investment in career training programs at California’s 114 community colleges.

At PCC, programs earned Bronze, Silver, and Gold Star recognition for achieving goals across three measurements of students’ success: A substantial increase in earnings, attainment of a living wage pegged to regional conditions, and work in a field closely matched to the student’s field of study.

The results stand out as among the strongest in the state. Twenty-six PCC programs reached the target on one of the metrics, earning Bronze Star status, while two hit two targets for Silver Stars. Two more programs, radiologic technology and registered nursing, earned Gold Star status by meeting all three goals.

“These results show the power of a community college education,” said Terry Giugni, PCC’s vice president for instruction. “Our graduates in these programs see enhanced earning power and get jobs in the fields in which they want to work. We’re proud to have these data highlighting the benefits so clearly.”

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 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.
• Employment of 90 percent or more 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.

The PCC programs earning Strong Workforce Star recognition, and their relevant metrics, are:

BRONZE STARS

• Accounting: 81% increase in earnings
• Administration of Justice: 103% increase in earnings
• Applied Photography: 53% increase in earnings
• Architecture and Architectural Technology: 103% increase in earnings
• Automotive Technology: 83% increase in earnings
• Biotechnology and Biomedical Technology: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
• Business Administration: 63% increase in earnings
• Computer Support: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
• Construction Welding: 69% increase in earnings
• Cosmetology and Barbering: 124% increase in earnings
• Dental Assisting: 173% increase in earnings
• Dental Laboratory Technician: 144% increase in earnings
• Gas Tungsten & Gas Metal Welding: 69% increase in earnings
• Electronics and Electric Technology: 252% increase in earnings
• Fashion: 114% increase in earnings
• Fire Technology: 105% increase in earnings
• Hospitality: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
• Journalism: 148% increase in earnings
• Library Technician (Aide): 53% increase in earnings
• Licensed Vocational Nursing: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
• Medical Assisting: 113% increase in earnings
• Office Technology-Office Computer Applications: 53% increase in earnings
• Paralegal: 71% of students attained the regional living wage
• Printing and Lithography: 111% increase in earnings
• Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: 55% increase in earnings
• Television (including combined TV-film-video): 117% increase in earnings

SILVER STARS

• Construction Inspection: 60% increase in earnings and 78% of students attained the regional living wage
• Dental Hygiene: 390% increase in earnings and 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study

GOLD STARS

• Radiologic Technology: 223% increase in earnings, 96% of students attained the regional living wage and 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
• Registered Nursing: 178% increase in earnings, 86% of students attained the regional living wage and 96% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study

Altogether, the honored programs represent roughly 40 percent of job-training certificate programs at PCC.

Beyond the recognition program, the Strong Workforce Program provides PCC nearly $1.2 million each year to fund expansions and improvements to career education programs across nine regional industry specialties: advanced manufacturing, advanced transportation and renewable energy, energy efficiency/utilities/construction, global trade and logistics, health, life sciences/biotechnology, information/communication technology and digital media, retail/hospitality/tourism, and small business/entrepreneurship.

To learn more about the state's effort to drive career education, visit the Doing What Matters website.

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