February 06, 2024
Contact: Melissa Villarin
Office: 916-327-5365
Office E-mail: MVillarin@CCCCO.edu

California Community Colleges Offer More Than 200 Career Education Programs Leading to High Wage, High Growth Careers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Community Colleges, the largest workforce training provider in the nation, celebrates Career Education Month in February and the impact these programs have on the state’s workforce and economy. Across 116 college campuses, California Community Colleges educate more than 2 million people a year and career education programs provide real-life training from expert instructors and industry professionals.

Sonya Chistian

“With more than 200 Career Education programs across the state, there is a two-year or less pathway for anyone who is interested in starting a new or advancing in an existing career,” said Chancellor Sonya Christian. “From healthcare to information technology, there is an in-demand career education program that connects students to employers driving California’s cutting edge and innovative economy.” 

According to The Economic Value of the California Community College System report, California Community Colleges support nearly 1.5 million jobs – or one of every 16 jobs in the state.

Last year, the Chancellor’s Office, in partnership with the California Department of Education, laid out the State’s future vision for career education, both in the short-term (the next five years) and long-term (ten years), through the Career Technical Education State Plan. The plan outlines creative strategies to advance California Community Colleges’ Vision 2030 goals and outcomes with equity and access established as core tenants of the framework design.

Moreover, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an Executive Order to develop a “Master Plan for Career Education” to identify opportunities for alignment and coordination of public and private sectors to ensure more career and skill-building opportunities for students and workers, strengthen career pathways and prioritize hands-on learning and real-life skills.

Stewart Knox

“The Governor’s Executive Order and the Career Technical Education State Plan provide clear goals and strategies to ensure that California remains the global epicenter for a skilled workforce,” added Labor Secretary Stewart Knox. “By targeting in-demand, high road occupations and creating and expanding competency-based education,  lie apprenticeships and adult education for displaced workers, we are giving every Californian the tools and resources they need to earn family living wages.” 

Dee-Dee Meyers

“From semiconductors and microchips to artificial intelligence and augmented reality, California companies do it all and are paving the way for the innovation and creative economies,” added Senior Advisor and GO-Biz Director, Dee Dee Myers. “These companies demand highly skilled talent to stay atop a globally competitive marketplace. That's why California’s commitment to career education is so important to our state’s long-term economic strength.” 


The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 1.9 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to improve student success, our communities and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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