The California Community Colleges, the nation’s largest workforce training provider, celebrates Career Education Month this February by highlighting the powerful role their programs play in shaping California’s workforce and boosting its economy.

Serving more than two million students annually across 116 campuses, the system offers cutting-edge, hands-on career training, paving the way for high-wage, high-growth careers.

“California Community Colleges are leading the way in career education, providing students with the skills needed for high-demand jobs in key industries such as healthcare, climate action, agriculture, technology and artificial intelligence,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian. “In alignment with Vision 2030, our system is driving multiple innovative workforce initiatives to meet the rapidly evolving demands of the job market. As emerging technologies reshape the world of work, we are committed to supporting employers, equipping working Californians with the skills to advance their careers, and strengthening our state's diverse communities to fuel a sustainable workforce and economic growth.”

There are eight demonstration projects that are key to achieving the California Community Colleges’ Vision 2030 goals, including: The Central Valley Transfer; Credit for Prior Learning; Mental Health for Veterans; Common Cloud Data Platform; Apprenticeship Pathways; Pathways for Learners with Low Incomes; Rising Scholars; and the Nursing Demonstration Project. These projects have already started to expand pathways to more credit opportunities for those who may have thought a college education was out of reach.

As California continues to invest in workforce development, the state's leadership is committed to aligning education with industry needs. This commitment is part of the broader Vision 2030 strategic plan, which aims to create a workforce that thrives on innovation, inclusivity, and skills-based education.

“California's economic leadership hinges on a talent pool that is as highly-skilled and innovative as our industries. Our career education initiatives are forging strong connections between education and industry, ensuring that our workforce is ready to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving global market,” said Senior Advisor and GO-Biz Director Dee Dee Myers.

California’s community colleges are the largest provider of workforce training in the nation with career education programs crafted in collaboration with business and labor and taught by industry professionals. Programs range from craft brewing to engineering to automotive technology. Many programs can be completed in less than a year and cost $46 per unit.

“California’s community colleges are pursuing innovative strategies to prepare our workforce for the rapidly changing economy,” said Secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency Stewart Knox. “Community colleges will play the lead role in carrying out key elements of our new Master Plan for Career Education, including the expansion of credit for prior learning and the creation of a new career passport that reflects all of a person’s experiences and skills – not just those learned in the classroom.”