San Bernardino Valley College Recognized for Increasing Graduate Earnings

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.

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.