Building a stronger workforce through hands-on training
Across the region, employers are looking for skilled employees who can step into increasingly technical roles and continue learning as industries evolve.
At MiraCosta College, we believe meeting that need requires more than teaching technical skills. It requires building education alongside the employers who understand where their industries are headed.
That approach is at the heart of MiraCosta’s Technology Career Institute (TCI), where accelerated, hands-on training connects students directly to careers in our region.
For students interested in engineering and advanced manufacturing, for example, TCI’s Engineering Technician program combines training in electrical and mechanical systems, automation, and robotics with projects that build the troubleshooting and problem-solving skills needed on the job.
Partnerships with local employers strengthen that training and connect students with the industries they are preparing to enter.
Palomar Technologies, a Carlsbad-based manufacturer of automated equipment for the semiconductor industry, has hired nearly a dozen TCI graduates in the past four years.
The company works directly with TCI students through mock interviews and facility tours, exposing them to real-world careers before they graduate.
The partnership has created what Quality Manager Gavin Douglas calls “a pipeline for labor” — giving Palomar Technologies access to prospective employees with foundational skills that can otherwise be difficult to find in such a specialized industry.
“We’re a real niche company,” Douglas said. “We’re the only people in the United States that make what we make, so it’s really hard to find people with any sort of experience doing anything unless they worked here previously.”
The work requires employees who can navigate mechanical and electrical systems, assemble thousands of small components, and troubleshoot when something goes wrong, making the problem-solving students practice at TCI particularly valuable.
“We’re not starting from square one,” Douglas said. “They come in, and they know that everything’s not going to be perfect. They’re able to put things together with thousands of little tiny parts and troubleshoot why it’s not working and figure out where that problem is.”
TCI’s capstone projects give employers a firsthand look at those skills in action.
For alumnus Manuel “Manny” Rodriguez, who entered TCI with little experience in CNC machining or manufacturing, his capstone became one of his proudest accomplishments.
“It pushed me to my limits in a good way,” he said. “Being able to make it work with help from my classmates and my instructor was my biggest accomplishment.”
The day he graduated, Rodriguez interviewed for a position at Oceanside manufacturer MagnaFlow, where he now works as a process engineer — a career move that brought greater financial stability and eventually helped him purchase his own condominium.
For other students, one TCI course can open the door to new possibilities.
Johnny Gracia first came to TCI to study welding and landed a welding job while still enrolled. He went on to study engineering technology and machining, building the mix of skills he now uses as a rides engineer at LEGOLAND®.
At MiraCosta College, we are committed to building an ecosystem where students can turn education into meaningful careers while local employers gain access to the skilled talent they need.
By continuing to strengthen the connection between education and industry, we can create more opportunities for our students while supporting the businesses that drive our region’s economy.
Whether you’re looking to build your workforce or take the next step in your career, we invite you to connect with MiraCosta’s Technology Career Institute. Visit commed.miracosta.edu to explore training programs and opportunities to partner with us.