MiraCosta College is considering Carlsbad as it looks for a place to open a new educational training facility for machinists and industrial technicians, an endeavor made possible by a $2.75-million federal grant from the Department of Labor.
The grant will help MiraCosta develop the Technology Career Institute (TCI), which is expected to help students, including returning military veterans and the unemployed, get the training needed to compete for high-skilled and high-paying jobs in the manufacturing and technology industries, the college stated in a new release.
"MiraCosta College is committed to serving the needs of our region by preparing students for careers that will allow them to work and live in North County San Diego," said MiraCosta College Superintendent/President Francisco Rodriguez. "This grant will benefit our entire region by allowing us to provide the training for jobs workers want and local employers need to fill. We are thrilled to be a recipient and eager to begin work on growing our own workforce."
The new institute will be able to enroll nearly 700 participants during the four-year grant period.
Linda Kurokawa, director of Community Services, said the grant allows MiraCosta to work with industries in high-tech manufacturing, maritime technology, and biotech manufacturing to create an accelerated 12-week program that will give them a credential that will help them apply for these high-in-demand jobs.
The Technology Career Institute will expand MiraCosta College's machinist certificate program, which was launched in March, and create industry-recognized electronics engineering technician and robotics/automation certificate programs.
MiraCosta College was one of 12 California community colleges sharing more than $29 million in federal grants for the development and expansion of innovative training programs in partnership with local businesses.
MiraCosta College has been working with local industry for years in preparing students for local demands. The college was approached more than two years ago by the National Tooling and Machining Association, the local career center and representatives of the North County manufacturing industry who said there was a strong demand for, but shortage of, qualified machinists. Today's employees need to have ever-increasing skills in math, blueprint reading, machine operations, and state-of-the-art precision equipment.
Starting salaries for properly trained toolmakers and precision machinists is $14 to $18 per hour.
The grant will help MiraCosta develop the Technology Career Institute (TCI), which is expected to help students, including returning military veterans and the unemployed, get the training needed to compete for high-skilled and high-paying jobs in the manufacturing and technology industries, the college stated in a new release.
"MiraCosta College is committed to serving the needs of our region by preparing students for careers that will allow them to work and live in North County San Diego," said MiraCosta College Superintendent/President Francisco Rodriguez. "This grant will benefit our entire region by allowing us to provide the training for jobs workers want and local employers need to fill. We are thrilled to be a recipient and eager to begin work on growing our own workforce."
The new institute will be able to enroll nearly 700 participants during the four-year grant period.
Linda Kurokawa, director of Community Services, said the grant allows MiraCosta to work with industries in high-tech manufacturing, maritime technology, and biotech manufacturing to create an accelerated 12-week program that will give them a credential that will help them apply for these high-in-demand jobs.
The Technology Career Institute will expand MiraCosta College's machinist certificate program, which was launched in March, and create industry-recognized electronics engineering technician and robotics/automation certificate programs.
MiraCosta College was one of 12 California community colleges sharing more than $29 million in federal grants for the development and expansion of innovative training programs in partnership with local businesses.
MiraCosta College has been working with local industry for years in preparing students for local demands. The college was approached more than two years ago by the National Tooling and Machining Association, the local career center and representatives of the North County manufacturing industry who said there was a strong demand for, but shortage of, qualified machinists. Today's employees need to have ever-increasing skills in math, blueprint reading, machine operations, and state-of-the-art precision equipment.
Starting salaries for properly trained toolmakers and precision machinists is $14 to $18 per hour.