SLO County Office of Education | Apprenticeships

SLOCOEDU

Apprenticeships, CTE, and Dual Enrollment

BY JAMES BRESCIA, ED.D. COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTOF SCHOOLS

Career Technical Education (CTE) in each San Luis Obispo County school district provides students with the training, academic skills, and technical knowledge necessary to succeed in future careers. San Luis Obispo County schools not only promote “Future Careers, Locally Grown,” they support lifelong learning. CTE is the practice of teaching specific career skills to students in middle school, high school, and post-secondary institutions. Across the United States, nearly 12.5 million high school and college students enroll annually in CTE courses. CTE prepares these learners for the world of work by providing academic content, introducing workplace competencies, and exposing students to a hands-on context. The current high school graduation rate for CTE concentrators is approximately 90 percent, nearly 15 percentage points higher than the national average. CTE covers multiple career clusters and is an investment of tax dollars in our schools, yielding positive results.

The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education (SLOCOE) established SLO Partners and the SLO CTE Foundation in 2014 to address college and career readiness among the county’s student population. SLO Partners’ mission is to engage business partners and educators. Engagement is accomplished by aligning workforce needs with career and college pathways and providing work experience opportunities to ensure our residents have the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the workplace. Local businesses report that skilled workers represent a sound, thriving, and sustainable economy benefiting everyone. In the eight years since SLO Partners founding, our commitment to collaborating with local businesses and education has continued to grow and serve the local community. Promoted programs provide residents practical training opportunities to grow and address today’s workplace needs.

Strong local businesses and a skilled workforce thrive when we work together. Collaborative efforts strengthen economies, families, schools, and communities. These modern boot camp training programs specifically designed to fill the talent needs of local businesses are one of the objectives of the SLO Partners program. The partnerships between K-12, Cuesta College, SLO Partners, and local business leaders are helping to bridge the gap between opportunities and reality for individuals in San Luis Obispo County.

I have previously highlighted programs in tech, digital media, and the trades. This month I am featuring our dual enrollment, pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeships, and employment success in Early Childhood Education (ECE). The Ticket 2 Teach program is an earn-and-learn apprenticeship program designed to support current and future educators by providing work-based learning opportunities at the high school, private, and public agency levels. These workbased learning opportunities pair with meaningful support and resources such as educational opportunities, skill development, and mentoring. We need Early Childhood Educators in San Luis Obispo county and the surrounding rural communities.

The San Luis Obispo County Childcare Planning Council (LPC) is working with multiple agencies in our county to address the issue. The LPC is an advisory body to the County Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Supervisors. The LPC plans for and promotes high-quality and accessible services for the care of all children and youth. Current opportunities include the Child Care Business Grant and Ticket 2 Teach programs. Upcoming grants available to the community include the Agency Expansion Grant, education scholarships, and mentor support. Program expansion is in partnership with families and the community through the LPC. Additional information is available on the San Luis Obispo County Child Care Planning Council website.

Early Childhood Education degrees and certifications are provided by Cuesta College, including dual enrollment classes for high school students. Students completing dual enrollment courses receive high school and college credits toward degrees and certifications. Students completing the Early Childhood Education dual enrollment courses, majors in Child Development and Family Studies, and other related programs prepare for careers working with children and their families. CTE dual enrolment courses allow high school students to engage in Cuesta College courses at their high school during their high school day and explore future careers.

San Luis Obispo County ECE pathway programs prepare students to work with children from infancy into middle childhood in various settings. Fiscal support for these CTE programs originated through local efforts of the school districts, the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, Cuesta College, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, and legislators such as Senator John Laird and Assembly Member Jordan Cunningham. It is an honor to serve as your County Superintendent of Schools.

“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.” — Vince Lombardi 