What’s New

HVAC Occupations

California’s long-term energy goals call for transforming heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) to ensure optimal energy performance for the state’s climate. By 2014, over 20,000 people will be employed in these occupations in Los Angeles County. More++

Water Efficiency Technology

A recent survey of plumbing employers in the Greater Sacramento area revealed that nearly half (48%) will add new employees while more than one-third (38%) expect to stay the same size in the next 12 months. More++

Emerging Trends in Game Development

Serious games, simulations, casual and mobile games, and virtual worlds gaming sectors are projected to add 1,800 jobs within the next 12 months. More++

"I have great appreciation for the Centers of Excellence. I have made over 100 copies of the Industry Scan Report on Construction and the Construction Industry Survey for our local contractors, suppliers, educators, and the community in general. One of the largest suppliers in our area asked for copies for their home office in Monterey. As a result, they donated $20,000 in equipment to our program."

Pablo Buckelew
Dean Educational Programs
Santa Barbara City College

About Us

Closing the Workforce Talent Gap

Workforce data customized for community colleges

The California Community Colleges Economic and Workforce Development (EWD) program is the statewide network for the delivery of education and training services to businesses, workers, and jobseekers in key growth industries and new technologies.

One of EWD’s ten regionally based sectoral initiatives, the Centers of Excellence support the community colleges by providing customized data on high growth, emerging, and economically-critical industries and occupations and their related workforce needs. These ten Centers, located strategically to study the regional economies of California, produce industry-validated environmental scan reports designed to enable community colleges to remain relevant and responsive in their offerings.

Whether you are a community college, workforce or economic development professional, our products and our services can assist you in your mission to support California’s businesses.

The Centers of Excellence

Inform – through real-time regional and local labor market research and data validated by industry partners

Connect – business and industry with community colleges, and workforce and economic development professionals who are committed to developing an outstanding workforce

Advance – the economic and workforce development mission of California’s community colleges in partnering with employers and preparing the workforce to succeed in the future

For more information:

COE Brochure – Downloadable COE Brochure

Our Partners – Data partners that contribute to our products and services

Success Stories – How using our products and services have generated successes for community colleges and their industry partners

Pressroom – Latest news items about our products and services