Crafton Hills College Honored as Statewide “Strong Workforce Star”

Five programs at Crafton Hills College earned the California Community Colleges’ Strong Workforce Stars recognition for improving student employment and wage outcomes.

Crafton’s Paramedic Program received a Gold Workforce Star, the Respiratory Therapy and Radiologic Technology programs received Silver Workforce Stars, and the Child Development and Fire Technology programs received Bronze Workforce Stars.

Strong Workforce Stars is an annual recognition for career education programs, also known as career technical education, 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.

“Our Paramedic Program is a leader in the region,” says Dan Word, dean of career education and human development. “Our experiential approach, state-of-the-art simulation labs, and industry partnerships make our students sought after by employers.”

The 2018 Strong Workforce Stars were given to career education programs throughout the state in 12 industry sectors, based on earnings gains, living wage attainment, and employment in field of study. Those named Strong Workforce Stars 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.

This year, the Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, and Gold Stars levels were introduced, with each winning program receiving recognition in one of those categories. Bronze Stars programs met one or more thresholds; Silver Stars met two; and Gold Stars met all three.

Crafton’s Silver Star programs Respiratory Therapy and Radiologic Technology have high completion rates, with 97.2% and 100% respectively. The Radiologic Technology program also has a 100% job placement rate.

Students from Crafton’s Child Development program, a Bronze Workforce Star, increase earnings by 75%, while Fire Technology certificate and degree completers can double their salaries within five years.

“Strong Workforce Stars career education programs are proven to help Californians increase their earning power,” said Van Ton-Quinlivan, executive vice chancellor for Workforce & Digital Futures. “With the introduction of levels this year, we are able to highlight those programs that are seeing significant results, as well as those that are on the rise toward even greater success.”

For more information about Crafton Hills College career education programs, go to http://www.craftonhills.edu/cte.

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Crafton Hills College is part of the California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation composed of 72 districts and 114 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. Community colleges supply workforce training, basic skills education and prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions. The Chancellor’s Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.