What’s New

Water & Wastewater Occupations

In Southern California, water and wastewater industries are projected to account for as many as 4,400 job opportunities for water and wastewater operators, mechanics, electricians and maintenance technicians over the next three years. More+

Access the archived Water & Wastewater webinar to learn more about the findings of this study and hear the discussion among a panel of experts from industry and education.

Solar Industry

In the Greater Sacramento region, solar industry employers expect to add more than 200 jobs over the next 12 months and about 950 jobs over the next three years. More+

Agriculture Value Chain

Based on research of California employers, the estimated combined growth of occupations in the agriculture value chain in the next five years could exceed 180,000 jobs. Read the Research Brief or the Environmental Scan.

"The Centers of Excellence have the ability to present real-time data in a manner that makes my job easier. I would suggest that any community college professional currently not using the Centers of Excellence are missing an excellent resource for making objective decisions on curriculum development and new programs. "

Ken Eaves, Director
Vocational Education Programs
Barstow College

Centers of Excellence

National Bellwether Award Finalist

In 2009, the Centers of Excellence were selected by the Community College Futures Assembly (CCFA) as one of ten finalists for the National Bellwether Award in Workforce Development.

The CCFA, now in its 15th year, convenes annually as an independent national policy forum for key opinion leaders to work as a "think tank" in identifying critical issues facing the future of community colleges. Each year, the Assembly recognizes innovative and productive programs in the nation's two-year college community, honoring ten finalists for each of three categories:

Instructional Programs & Services
Programs or activities that foster or support teaching and learning in the community college.
Planning, Governance & Finance
Programs or activities that improve efficiency and effectiveness in the community college.
Workforce Development
Public and/or private strategic alliances and partnerships that promote community and economic development.

Presented in Orlando, Florida, each finalist gave a presentation and submitted supporting materials to a panel of judges in the days preceding the award ceremony.

The COE presentation demonstrated how embedded technology is used to enhance the environmental scanning process, detailing the use of GIS software and private and public data sources to provide colleges with real-time information for industry outreach, competency-based curriculum design, and partnership development.

The Centers of Excellence are honored and proud to be recognized for this work!

Center of Excellence Directors present at National Bellwether Awards

Michelle Marquez, Central Valley Region Center Director, Elaine Gaertner, Statewide Director, and Kevin Fleming, Inland Empire/Desert Region Center Director, presented at the 2009 National Bellwether awards.

All presentations are webcast and an article on the finalists work is published in the Community College Journal of Research and Practice.

Click here for an overview on how the Centers of Excellence support community colleges in partnering with business and industry.