COM Honored as Statewide Strong Workforce Star

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Nicole Cruz
Office of the Superintendent/President
(415) 485-9508

College of Marin Honored as Statewide Strong Workforce Star

Innovative programs advance economic and social mobility for students
 

NOVATO / KENTFIELD, CA—April 19, 2018—The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office announced that ten programs at College of Marin (COM) have been named Strong Workforce Stars.

Strong Workforce Stars is an annual recognition for career education programs, also known as career technical education (CTE), within the California Community Colleges system whose graduates show significant gains in factors important for advancing social mobility—a substantial increase in earnings, attainment of a living wage, and a job closely matched with the field of study.

“College of Marin’s CTE programs are highly regarded by local businesses for the top-notch students that receive their education here and go on to become valued, highly-skilled employees,” said Superintendent/President Dr. David Wain Coon. “We are extremely proud of our students, faculty, staff, and administrators for elevating CTE to this level."

The 2018 Strong Workforce Stars were given to career education programs throughout the state in 12 industry sectors, based on earnings gains, living wage attainment, and employment in field of study. Those named Strong Workforce Stars met 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.

This year, the Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, and Gold Stars levels were introduced, with each winning program receiving recognition in one of those categories. Bronze Stars programs met one or more thresholds, Silver Stars met two, and Gold Stars met all three.

Below is information on the specific outcomes of each program:

SILVER STARS (attained threshold outcomes on two metrics) 

• Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical: 129% increase in earnings and 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study 
• Registered Nursing: 76% of students attained the regional living wage and 90% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study 
• Dental Assisting: Registered: 164% increase in earnings and 91% of students attained the regional living wage 

BRONZE STARS (attained threshold outcomes on one metric) 

• Automotive Technology: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study 
• Business and Commerce, General: 62% increase in earnings 
• Accounting: 70% increase in earnings 
• Business Administration: 93% increase in earnings 
• Multimedia: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study 
• Administration of Justice: 139% increase in earnings 
• Court Reporting: 301% increase in earnings 

“Strong Workforce Stars career education programs are proven to help Californians increase their earning power,” said Van Ton-Quinlivan, executive vice chancellor for Workforce & Digital Futures. “With the introduction of levels this year, we are able to highlight those programs that are seeing significant results, as well as those that are on the rise toward even greater success.”