Voc ed options expand

Voc ed options expand
By Doug Ford
Article Launched: 05/19/2008

One of the great educational achievements in Solano County in the past few years has been the result of cooperation between Solano Community College, the Solano County Office of Education and several Solano biotechnology businesses.

Initially, the college established what was the first two-year biotechnology manufacturing program in the nation, to provide trained employees for the county's expanding biotechnology industry. For years, most of the students who enrolled in that program had already completed a bachelor's degree or higher.

Then the college, the Office of Education and the biotech businesses established a Regional Occupational Program in biotech that makes it possible for students to complete one year of college credit toward the SCC program while still in high school. This highly successful program is now thriving in four Solano high schools.

Now, a new effort is under way to give students a head start in all areas of manufacturing. With more than 800 manufacturing businesses in the county, there is a great demand for young people who are well trained in the mechanical and electronic skills that are, unfortunately, lacking in most applicants for the excellent jobs available in these industries.

SCC has developed an advanced manufacturing program to meet the needs of the largest and best-paying segment of Solano's economy. The college, SCOE, the Workforce Investment Board of Solano County, and several employers have established the Solano Manufacturers Workforce Taskforce Committee. They have been meeting monthly at the Anheuser-Busch facility in Fairfield to work out the details involved in developing such a program. Since its main focus is on mechanical and electronic skills, it has been named the Mechatronics Program, and the first SCC courses are planned for this year. It is hoped that a high school entryway into it will follow in the not-too-distant future.

While this is an excellent program for students who do not plan to earn a four-year or higher level degree, it could be of great value to university aspirants also. It provides the kinds of skills that will open doors now closed to a large percentage of college graduates.

The task force has planned its first Manufacturing Open House for high school seniors from 4 to 8 p.m. May 28, to be hosted by Anheuser-Busch, located on the west side of Fairfield. Parents, educators and others interested in Mechatronics and manufacturing are also invited. There is no cost to attend.

* The author is retired from the U.S. Air Force, lives in Dixon and serves on the Solano County Board of Education.