San Bernardino, CA –  San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College have been recognized as Strong Workforce Stars by the California Community College Chancellor’s office. This recognition is given to colleges which significantly improve students’ earnings after completing accelerated workforce training.

“Being recognized among California’s top colleges is particularly meaningful because it speaks to our commitment to provide students with affordable, hands-on, high-quality training that is valuable in the workplace,” said SBCCD Chancellor Bruce Baron. “We are very proud of our hard-working students and proud of our faculty and staff for their relentless devotion to help them succeed.”

Job training programs earn Strong Workforce Stars when they meet 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.

Of the stars to be given, a program would earn a bronze star for meeting one criterion, a silver star for meeting two, and a gold star for achieving three.

Crafton Hills received one gold star, two silver and two bronze stars, for the following programs:

Gold stars:

• EMT-Paramedic: 100% increase in earnings, 96% of students attained the regional living wage and 91% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study

Silver stars:

• Radiologic Technology: 88% increase in earnings and 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
• Respiratory Care: 203% increase in earnings and 93% of students attained the regional living wages.

Bronze stars:

• Child Development-Early Care and Education: 106% increase in earnings
• Fire Technology: 109% increase in earnings

San Bernardino Valley College received two silver stars and 15 bronze stars for the following programs:

Silver stars:

• Apprenticeship Psychiatric Technology: 551% increase in earnings and 96% of students attained the regional living wage
• Nursing: 53% increase in earnings and 83% of students attained the regional living wage

Bronze stars:

• Administration of Justice: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
• Alcohol and Controlled Substances: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
• Automotive Technology: 137% increase in earnings
• Automotive Collision Repair: 162% increase in earnings
• Construction Inspection: 73% of students attained the regional living wage
• Diesel Technology: 56% increase in earnings
• Electronics and Electric Technology: 54% increase in earnings
• Environmental Control Technology: 79% of students attained the regional living wage
• Graphic Art and Design: 107% increase in earnings
• Pharmacy Technology: 207% increase in earnings
• Radio and Television: 84% increase in earnings
• Real Estate: 66% increase in earnings
• Water and Wastewater Technology: 79% of students attained the regional living wage
• Welding Technology: 53% increase in earnings