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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA —- In March 2018, San Bernardino Valley College was awarded 17 silver and bronze “Strong Workforce Stars” by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to recognize it for increasing graduate earnings by up to 551%, as well as for helping students to attain a regional living wage and find employment in their field of study.
“Strong Workforce Stars” is an annual recognition for career education programs within the California Community Colleges system whose graduates show significant gains in factors important for advancing social mobility: a substantial increase in earnings, attainment of a living wage and a job closely matched with the field of study. The 2018 Strong Workforce Stars were given to programs throughout the state that 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.
Among the stars awarded, SBVC’s psychiatric technology program was lauded for increasing student earnings by 551%, with 96% of graduates attaining the regional living wage. SBVC’s nursing program increased earnings by 53%, with 83% of graduates attaining the regional living wage.
Graduates of San Bernardino Valley College’s Psychiatric Technology Class of 2017 attend a graduation celebration on campus.
Other SBVC programs recognized included:
- Electronics and Electric Technology: 54% increase in earnings.
- Welding Technology: 53% increase in earnings.
- Diesel Technology: 56% increase in earnings.
- Automotive Technology: 137% increase in earnings.
- Automotive Collision Repair: 162% increase in earnings.
- Real Estate: 66% increase in earnings.
- Child Development (Early Care and Education): 58% increase in earnings.
- Environmental Control Technology: 79% of students attained the regional living wage.
- Construction Inspection: 73% of students attained the regional living wage.
- Water and Wastewater Technology: 79% of students attained the regional living wage.
- Pharmacy Technology: 207% increase in earnings.
- Alcohol and Controlled Substances: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study.
- Radio and Television: 84% increase in earnings.
- Graphic Art and Design: 107% increase in earnings.
- Administration of Justice: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study.
San Bernardino Valley College graduates prepare to participate in the college’s 91st Commencement procession on May 25, 2018.
For more information on the Strong Workforce Program and the California community colleges that have been recognized statewide, visit http://doingwhatmatters.cccco.edu/StrongWorkforce.aspx.
