Reimagining workforce development
The role of Community Colleges in building the future workforce
Community colleges are essential drivers of economic mobility, providing accessible education and career pathways that meet the needs of both students and employers. As technology transforms industries, workforce development must adapt. At MiraCosta College, we take a “Futures” approach—preparing students for tomorrow’s jobs while addressing workforce gaps, particularly in underserved communities.
MiraCosta College has secured over $7.8 million in grants to expand apprenticeship programs in high-demand fields, focusing on underrepresented groups. This includes a $1.5 million grant to launch IT apprenticeship programs in digital marketing, software development, IT helpdesk, data analysis, and cybersecurity. In partnership with OpenClassrooms, we aim to place 150 apprentices over three years, offering fully online, competency-based education with expert mentors. These efforts address the 7,338 new IT jobs projected in Oceanside by 2028.
A $1.5 million Digital Marketing Apprenticeship Program grant provides additional training for market research analysts, opening pathways to high-wage jobs across San Diego County. Collaborating with Clear Digital Labs, this initiative offers mentoring, credentialing, and job placement support, while another $4.1 million supports those seeking life science and biotech careers. Apprenticeships, supported by strong industry partnerships, are crucial for aligning education with labor market demands. AcAt MiraCosta College, we take a “Futures” approach—preparing students for tomorrow’s jobs while addressing workforce gaps, particularly in underserved communities. cording to Jobs for the Future (JFF), healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing employers need help finding local talent with the right skills. Apprenticeships offer a sustainable solution, creating talent pipelines to meet current and future workforce needs.
State and federal incentives also help industries remain competitive by f illing key positions. MiraCosta College’s workforce development efforts align skills with employer needs, preparing graduates for high-demand IT, biomanufacturing, and healthcare jobs. By strengthening partnerships with industry leaders, we bridge the gap between employer needs and workforce capabilities, addressing labor shortages and supporting regional economic growth. MiraCosta has also secured a $120,000 grant to plan a noncredit pharmacy technician apprenticeship in partnership with CVS and the LAUNCH network.
A $500,000 pre-apprenticeship grant supports biomanufacturing training in clinical laboratory sciences, contributing to California’s goal of developing 500,000 apprentices by 2029. This program builds infrastructure for clinical laboratory technologist training, creating innovative pathways to employment in the healthcare sector. The Bioscience Workforce Development Hub at MiraCosta College is at the core of these efforts. This Hub aligns our training programs with the bioscience industry’s needs and provides experiential learning opportunities. We’re building a talent pipeline ready to contribute to the bioscience industry by collaborating with 40 bioscience programs across California, dual enrollment, and articulated high school programs. These efforts help students succeed and strengthen California’s broader economy.
By partnering with industry leaders, MiraCosta College creates talent pipelines connecting community members to highwage, in-demand careers, supporting regional businesses, and driving economic growth. These initiatives are key to strengthening San Diego County’s workforce, ensuring that local businesses and underserved populations thrive in an evolving economy.