San Bernardino colleges earn statewide recognition for boosting students’ wages

San Bernardino Community College District, which serves 21,000 students through Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College is a statewide leader in increasing student wages. Photo by Kurt Miller

By Brandon Trussell / San Bernardino Community College District

The California Community College Chancellor’s office has recognized San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College as Strong Workforce Stars. This recognition is given to colleges which significantly improve students’ earnings after completing accelerated workforce training.

“Being recognized among California’s top colleges is particularly meaningful because it speaks to our commitment to provide students with affordable, hands-on, high-quality training that is valuable in the workplace,” said SBCCD Chancellor Bruce Baron. “We are very proud of our hard-working students and proud of our faculty and staff for their relentless devotion to help them succeed.”

Students who participated in the San Bernardino Valley College nursing program saw a 53% increase in earnings and 83% of students attained the regional living wage, according to 2015–16 data from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

Job training programs earn Strong Workforce Stars when they meet 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.

A program would earns a bronze star for meeting one criterion, a silver star for meeting two, and a gold star for achieving three.

San Bernardino Valley College received two silver stars and 15 bronze stars for the following programs:

Silver stars:

• Apprenticeship Psychiatric Technology: 551% increase in earnings and 96% of students attained the regional living wage
• Nursing: 53% increase in earnings and 83% of students attained the regional living wage

Students who participated in the San Bernardino Valley College electronics and electric technology program saw a 54% increase in earnings, according to 2015–16 data from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

Bronze stars:

• Electronics and Electric Technology: 54% increase in earnings
• Welding Technology: 53% increase in earnings
• Diesel Technology: 56% increase in earnings
• Automotive Technology: 137% increase in earnings
• Automotive Collision Repair: 162% increase in earnings
• Real Estate: 66% increase in earnings
• Child Development-Early Care and Education: 58% increase in earnings
• Environmental Control Technology: 79% of students attained the regional living wage
• Construction Inspection: 73% of students attained the regional living wage
• Water and Wastewater Technology: 79% of students attained the regional living wage
• Pharmacy Technology: 207% increase in earnings
• Alcohol and Controlled Substances: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
• Radio and Television: 84% increase in earnings
• Graphic Art and Design: 107% increase in earnings
• Administration of Justice: 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study

Crafton Hills received one gold star, two silver and two bronze stars, for the following programs:

Crafton Hills College students in the emergency medical technology (EMT) program getting hands-on training.

Gold stars:

• EMT-Paramedic: 100% increase in earnings, 96% of students attained the regional living wage and 91% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study

Silver stars:

• Respiratory Care: 203% increase in earnings and 93% of students attained the regional living wages.
• Radiologic Technology: 88% increase in earnings and 100% of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study

Bronze stars:

• Child Development-Early Care and Education: 106% increase in earnings
• Fire Technology: 109% increase in earnings

To enroll, visit San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College.

About San Bernardino Community College District

We serve 21 cities in the heart of Inland Southern California and open doors of opportunity for 21,000 students through two fully-accredited campuses: Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College. We cultivate minds and transform our community through the Economic Development & Corporate Training division and KVCR, the region’s National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting System (PBS) television affiliate station. SBCCD generates $621 million in local economic activity each year. Learn more: Watch our video.

Board of Trustees

Joseph Williams, President

Gloria Macias Harrison, Vice President

Dr. Anne L. Viricel, Clerk

Donna Ferracone, Member

John Longville, Member

Frank Reyes, Member

Dr. Donald L. Singer, Member

Autumn Blackburn, Student Trustee (SBVC)

Jajuan Dotson, Student Trustee (CHC)

Chancellor

Bruce R. Baron

President

Diana Z. Rodriguez, San Bernardino Valley College