The San Mateo County Community College District Vocational Programs train people to enter specific career fields upon completion of coursework. Vocational programs offer a wide variety of career choices including automotive technology, child development, graphic design and dental hygiene. Many community groups offer scholarships for particular fields and for individuals who have specific needs or backgrounds.
One vocational sector that is booming is clean energy. In January of 2009, the U.S. Dept. of Labor granted $1,900,000 to the San Mateo Community College District (SSMCD) to lead The San Francisco Bay Area Clean Energy Career (BayCEC) Project. This is part of President Obama's agenda to aggressively increase community based job training. It is already a huge success in the Bay Area even though it has barely begun. Solar installation classes that began in March 2009 had more than thirty people on the waiting lists. Enrolled students will be the first wave of 250 students that graduate with ‘green collar' work skills. BayCEC encourages ex-military personnel and ex-financial analysts to enroll but all are welcome. Due to the extensive collaboration with local firms, graduates are practically guaranteed a job and often are promoted quickly. Graduates gain a mix of construction skills (installation) and management skills (energy system operations) that are highly coveted by firms looking to take advantage of the stimulus funds directed to the clean energy and efficiency sectors.
Take Action:- For details about the San Francisco Bay Area Clean Energy Career Project, contact Peninsula Works at 650-802-6500 or call Skyline College's Science Division at 650-738-4221.
- To speak with someone at SSMCD, contact Mike Williamson, Dean, Science, Math and Technology at 650-738-4354 or michael.williamson@smccd.edu.
- Download information (pdf) about this program from the Department of Labor.
