Innovative programs advance economic and social mobility for students
Norco, CA – Twelve Norco College Career Education programs earned Bronze and Silver Star levels from the California Community Colleges’ Strong Workforce for their success in improving student employment and wage outcomes.
Bronze Star Programs include: Engineering Technology, 64% increase in earnings; Manufacturing and Industrial Technology: 288% increase in earnings; Accounting: 76% of students attained the regional living wage; Child Development-Early Care and Education: 56% increase in earnings; Drafting Technology: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study; Electronic Game Design: 115% increase in earnings; Commercial Music: 89% increase in earnings; Administration of Justice: 105% increase in earnings
Silver Star Programs include: Business Administration: 88% increase in earnings and 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study; Digital Electronics: 60% increase in earnings and 82% of students attained the regional living wage; Logistics: 58% increase in earnings and 80% of students attained the regional living wage; Construction Technology: 82% of students attained the regional living wage and 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study.
“What an honor for Norco College to receive twelve program recognitions,” said President Bryan Reece. “Part of our mission is helping students enter the workforce in high-wage industries. It is a way to build and sustain a strong local economy.”
The 2018 Strong Workforce Stars were given to career education programs throughout the state 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.
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.
