Contract education services represent an entrepreneurial response at the local level, and collectively statewide, that can significantly impact business retention and expansion in California and build a strong economy that is competitive domestically and internationally. "Contract education means those situations in which a community college district contracts with a public or private entity for the purposes of providing instruction or services or both by the community college." (California Education Code Section 78020)

VALUE PROPOSITION: California's 114 community colleges are in a unique position to assist businesses in developing high-skilled, high-performance work groups. The colleges deliver training programs for both future and current workers to prepare them to be competitive with the workforces of other countries in the application of emerging technologies. In addition, businesses need assistance in developing corporate cultures that unleash the creative genius of the workers, give them new tools to increase productivity and improve the quality of products and processes.

OUR MISSION: "Work systematically with collaborative partners and companies to strengthen the organization's effectiveness, competitiveness, and profitability through education, training, and services that contribute to continuous workforce improvement." (California Education Code Section 66010.43)

TAP ROLE: Technical Assistance Providers (TAP) for Contract Education support the Field Technical Assistance for Contract Education by providing services that prepare the California Community Colleges to respond to the workforce training needs of business within their local communities. Contract Education services represent an entrepreneurial response at the local level, and collectively statewide, that can significantly respond to the needs of business, industry, and government to prepare the workforce both current and future to be competitive in an increasingly competitive global market. Through training and consulting services TA for Contract Education provides community college contract education and economic development professionals with the skills and tools needed to develop and deliver in-demand solutions needed by businesses to meet the workforce development challenges that will affect their economic success. Whether the basic tools for developing a training unit at the college or providing high skilled train-the-trainer sessions in Lean Technologies, the Technical Assistance Provider for Contract Education will deliver the resources necessary to meet the needs of the community colleges.

Technical assistance is available in a variety of areas for the community college Contract Education unit or economic development professional, including:

  • Organizational Development
  • Fundamentals of Being a Successful Contract Training Professional
  • Understanding California Education Codes, Policies and Procedures
  • Performance Improvement Methodologies
  • Consultative Sales
  • Return on Investment for Contract Training