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MiraCosta College Continues to Earns Strong Workforce Stars Awards MiraCosta College is pleased to announce that nine programs recently earned the California Community Colleges’ Strong Workforce program for recognition at the Bronze Stars level for success in improving student employment and wage outcomes through innovative career education programs. The community college system annually awards Strong Workforce Stars to colleges for career education programs 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. “At MiraCosta College one of our main goals is to provide superior educational opportunities. This recognition affirms that the positive work we have been involved with yields successful outcomes,” explains Zhenya Lindstrom, associate dean of career education, MiraCosta College. “We have a dedicated and passionate team of faculty and staff who put MiraCosta College students first and ensure they have the tools needed for the workforce.” 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, the release said. 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. Nine MiraCosta programs received Bronze Stars and the criteria met include: Automotive Technology: 54 percent increase in earnings Accounting: 70 percent of students attained the regional living wage Massage Therapy: 100 percent of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study Drafting Technology: 86 percent increase in earnings Licensed Vocational Nursing: 100 percent of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study Multimedia: 98 percent increase in earnings Commercial Music: 57 percent increase in earnings Biotechnology and Biomedical Technology: 71 percent of students attained the regional living wage Hospitality: 74 percent 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 and 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." Strong Workforce Stars grew from the California Community Colleges’ Doing What Matters for Jobs and Economy framework and its Strong Workforce Program. California is investing $200 million annually to spur additional and improved career education programs throughout its 114 community colleges. About MiraCosta College The MiraCosta Community College District has served the coastal North San Diego County area for over 80 years. More than 17,000 credit students per semester in over 70 disciplines enroll in associate degrees, university transfer and workforce readiness certificate programs. The college also serves a wide spectrum of educational needs in the region ranging from programs for adult education, basic skills, and ESL to a California Community College pilot program offering the nation’s first baccalaureate degree in biomanufacturing. MiraCosta College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
MiraCosta College Continues to Earns Strong Workforce Stars Awards
MiraCosta College is pleased to announce that nine programs recently earned the California Community Colleges’ Strong Workforce program for recognition at the Bronze Stars level for success in improving student employment and wage outcomes through innovative career education programs.
The community college system annually awards Strong Workforce Stars to colleges for career education programs 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.
“At MiraCosta College one of our main goals is to provide superior educational opportunities. This recognition affirms that the positive work we have been involved with yields successful outcomes,” explains Zhenya Lindstrom, associate dean of career education, MiraCosta College. “We have a dedicated and passionate team of faculty and staff who put MiraCosta College students first and ensure they have the tools needed for the workforce.”
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, the release said. Those named Strong Workforce Stars met one or more of the following thresholds:
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. Nine MiraCosta programs received Bronze Stars and the criteria met include:
"Strong Workforce Stars career education programs are proven to help Californians increase their earning power," said Van Ton-Quinlivan, executive vice chancellor for Workforce and 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." Strong Workforce Stars grew from the California Community Colleges’ Doing What Matters for Jobs and Economy framework and its Strong Workforce Program. California is investing $200 million annually to spur additional and improved career education programs throughout its 114 community colleges.
About MiraCosta College
The MiraCosta Community College District has served the coastal North San Diego County area for over 80 years. More than 17,000 credit students per semester in over 70 disciplines enroll in associate degrees, university transfer and workforce readiness certificate programs. The college also serves a wide spectrum of educational needs in the region ranging from programs for adult education, basic skills, and ESL to a California Community College pilot program offering the nation’s first baccalaureate degree in biomanufacturing. MiraCosta College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.