Progress 07/01/23 to 06/30/24
Outputs
Target Audience:1. Incumbent agricultural farm and food production plant labor PD Mahfood attempted to reach the target audience by contacting agricultural and food production companies in the surrounding areas to inquire about the possibility of partnerships in the food science and safety apprenticeship program. PD discovered that many of the original potential partners for the apprenticeship program had experienced turnover, and the new contacts at the companies were unfamiliar with the apprenticeship program. PD and assistant discussed benefits of apprenticeships with companies, answered questions and provided additional information as requested. FSS Apprenticeship flyer was developed and sent out electronically. 2. Migrant and seasonal farm workers Conversations with the WHCCD Adult Education Consortium staff continued in the hopes of providing migrant and seasonal farmworkers with quick trainings to get them back into the workforce. The WHCCD Director of Contract Training was supportive of the Truck Driving Apprenticeship and worked with WHCCD to develop and submit competencies to DAS for review. At this time, the competencies are not yet approved. Additional efforts were made to reach migrant and seasonal farm workers through the distribution of English and Spanish flyers and brochures at outreach events, and promotion on social media. 3. Industry, including local agribiusiness, food manufacturers, and farmers Direct contact with local industry was made by PD and assistant. As stated in target audience 1, turnover at WHCCD at partner industry companies slowed down the growth of the Food Science and Safety Apprenticeship program. However, contact with local industry was productive in providing a space for the conversation related to apprenticeship programs. Additional information on the FSS program was provided to industry as was the contact information for WHCCD. 4. Educators, including faculty, college staff, and fellow college administrators PD Mahfood attended a variety of advisory boards and conferences related to workforce development and apprenticeships. She took the opportunity to share information related to the FSS Apprenticeship program at WHCCD with the faculty and staff at Coalinga College, advisory members, and CTE Deans throughout the Central Valley Mother Lode Consortium. Additionally, a partnership with LAUNCH Apprenticeships was created. 5. Community based organizations and local agencies to build a referral network for apprenticeships PD and assistant attended a variety of outreach events with local community based organizations and local agencies. Information on apprenticeships was presented to attendees with discussison pertaining to the program at Coalinga College. Contact information was provided as well as informational materials. Changes/Problems:PD Nick Trujillo left his role at WHCCD, leaving the role vacant for quite some time. His responsibilites were assumed by PD Bobbi Mahfood, who is the Dean of Educational Services at Coalinga College. Additional turnover at partner employer sites, the DAS, and the in program assistant role slowed the growth of the apprenticeship program for a time. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?PD and assistant attended a variety of training and professional development including the CCCAOE Conference, monthlyCVML Consortium, Grow Apprenticeship CA, and LAUNCH. All of these opportunities provide additional information and resources related to apprenticeships and the ability to connect with additional partners. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Discussion with employer partners, high school partners, fellow community college administrators, industry, advisory boards, and intermediaries have taken place throughout the reporting period. Continued conversations have allowed for the exploration of additional apprentice programs in other areas. The dissemination of information related to apprenticeships has been helpful in informing partners and collaborators on the benefits of apprenticeships as well as the possibilites of additional programs. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, WHCCD plans to continue to work towards the goals of training low skilled incumbent workers and career-ready job seekers, close the skills and labor gaps, recruit from migrant and seasonal incumbent workers, and increas the number of students in jobs related to careers in agricultre and food manufacturing. To do so, additional outreach and communication efforts will continue to take place with all invested groups including students, employers, fellow community colleges and educators, industry, advisors, and community members. Additionally, services to apprenticeship students will continue to be an area of focus.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: 1. Creation of Food Science and Safety Apprenticeship progam, with the completion of 3 apprentices. The development and submission of Truck Driving Apprenticeship competencies has been completed and is currently being vetted by DAS. Earn as you learn apprenticeships have been developed and provide free and low cost courses and instruction offered by WHCCD colleges. 2. Data collected includes employer forms, apprentice DAS-1 forms, apprentice characteristics, on the job training hours, and supplemental instruction hours, transcripts, interested employers, employer mail lists, and DOL documentation. 3. Summary stats on this goal pertain to three students in FSS and one in Maintenance Mechanics. Other data collected are CA Apprenticeship requirements for apprenticeship development and programmatice continuation. Data collected on Federal DOL apprenticeship standard builder and apprenticeship development. 4. Apprenticeship students Goal 2 1. Developed a new federal apprenticeship program to close skill and labor gaps in the region and throughout CA. Development of Truck Driving Apprenticeship competencies were completed and are being vetted by DAS. 2. Data collected includes employer forms, apprentice DAS-1 forms, apprentice characteristics, on the job training hours, and supplemental instruction hours, transcripts, interested employers, employer mail lists, and DOL documentation. 3.Summary stats on this goal pertain to three students in FSS and one in Maintenance Mechanics. Other data collected are CA Apprenticeship requirements for apprenticeship development and programmatice continuation. Data collected on Federal DOL apprenticeship standard builder and apprenticeship development. 4. 4 apprenticeship students. New industry partner contacts, community awareness. Goal 3: 1. Creation of brochure and bilingual flyers for apprenticeship program. Distribution of informational materials both virtually and in person. Contact with migrant and incumbent workers through outreach events and communication methods including phone, email, and student appointments. 2. Data collected included meeting with incumbent workers, WIOA candidates, disadvantaged populations, high school partner, and other college campuses. 3. No summary statistics or result discussions for this goal. 4. No major accomplishments to report. Goal 4: 1. Three students registered in the FSS apprenticeship program received a certificated from WHCCD and an opportunity for educational continuation through transferring. 2. WHCCD faculty collected data on student progress and success with the outcomes outlined in each course taken by FSS Apprentices. 3. Summary stats include the student characteristics as listed above in previous goals, but also qualitative data that helps WHCCD faculty with course development /curriulum development to show how useful potential content can be to those working directly with FSS. 4. The development and submission of competencies for Truck Driving Apprenticeship. Three graduated students registered as FSS Apprentices. One registered and continuing Maintenance Mechanic DOL Apprenticeship student.
Publications
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Progress 07/01/22 to 06/30/23
Outputs
Target Audience:1)Incumbent agricultural farm and food production plant labor PD attempted to reach the target audience above by publishing an advertisement in the California Food Producer Membership & Committee Directory, tabling at the Annual California Food Producer Food Expo in February 2023, directly meeting with employer partners, and holding workshops focused on agriculture apprenticeships. WHCCD purchased targeted marketing for HR staff at Food Producers throughout California. WHCCD also partnered with the California League of Food Producers to host a "Workforce Development" section on the CA League of Food Producer's website. The purchased advertisements reach at least2000 Food Producers throughout California that are a part of the California League of Food Producers. PD also reached out to HR Managers and Food Science QA Managers throughout the California League of Food Producers to reach employers who may be able to recommend and promote their employees. These efforts have led to new apprentice students currently in the queue to be enrolled as Food Science and Safety apprentice students at the time of this report.PD met with multiple employer partners and HR teams to discuss opportunities to move forward in apprenticeships and identified other training avenues for employer partners who need apprenticeships. 2) Migrant and seasonal farmworkers PD is continuing conversations with WHCCD Adult Education Consortium staff and National Farm Worker Program staff to determine short-term pathways (in credit and not for credit) to provide Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers with quick trainings to get them back into the workforce. In the previous report, it was determined that Truck Driving could be a short pathway to a successful career. PD, WHCCD Adult Consortium, WHCCD Director of Contract Training, and the newly hired NFJP Director are working in tandem to develop the pipeline of Migrant/Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFW) coming into the college system, get them co-enrolled in programs, and ensure their success through the pathway. Deep dive into credit/non-credit/not-for-credit pathways has taken place in the last year, with an intentional focus on understanding the pathway internally to then show students the pathway to success. These planning meetings have helped WHCCD identify the pathway to get Migrant/Seasonal Farmworkers into Truck Driving and funding is being developed to support this curriculum to start onboarding cohorts of students in the next reporting period. The director of NFJP has relayed this developing pathway to MSFWs in our region and received positive feedback and interest to participate. 4) Industry, including local agribusiness, food manufacturers, and farmers Besides the information provided under target audience one (1), PD continues the partnershipwith the California League of Food Producers. Currently, over 2000 industry partners are in the California League and can be reached through marketing in the California League magazine. WHCCD is also leveraging funds to provide direct marketing to HR professionals and supervisors in Food Science and Safety in California. A website was also created to show industry partners (and incumbent ag workforce members) the pathway to a low-cost education through an apprenticeship program. PD attended the California League of Food Producers Food Expo in February 2023to discuss apprenticeships with employer partners in agriculture, food manufacturing, and farmers. In the previous reporting period, discussions with employer partners identified the need for new training pathways in manufacturing and industrial maintenance, and truck driving. Manufacturing and Industrial Maintenance apprenticeship programs have been developed, implemented, and current apprentices are enrolled in these pathways. Truck Driving curriculum is completed and awaiting state and federal approvals. 5) Educators, including faculty, college staff, and administrators throughout the state WHCCD currently serves as an expert consultant on apprenticeships in California for non-traditional apprenticeships funded through the California Community College Chancellors Office. PD Trujillo is recommended by staff at the California Community College Chancellor's Office and the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards to consult on how to set up apprenticeships, how to appropriately fund apprenticeships, how to receive funding, and how to get employers together to promote programs. During this reporting period, PD Trujillo consulted with multiple California Community Colleges about apprenticeship programs using the Food Science and Safety program as an example of how to set up a program from scratch and get employers engaged and promote an agriculture-based curriculum for the ag industry. PD Trujillo was a keynote speaker at the South Valley Industrial Collaborative in October 2022. This is a collaborative of Industrial employersthroughout California's Central Valley. PD Trujillo advised SVIC attendees on the benefits of apprenticeships, how to set up apprenticeships, the legality surrounding apprenticeships, best practices and lessons learned, and how to leverage grant funding to begin working on apprenticeships. 7) Community-based organizations and local agencies to build a referral network for apprenticeships PD presented at multiple conferences/workshops that had local workforce development boards and local agencies in attendance. PD educated on apprenticeship basics and highlighted referral networks that could be developed and designed when considering apprenticeships. PD also met with local workforce boards (Fresno, Tulare, and Kings Counties) to discuss apprenticeship opportunities currently being offered and how to support local employer partners seeking to train new or upskill existing staff members. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?PD and Administrative Support attended conference/workshop training in November 2022for grant management and legality surrounding federal grant management and the Code of Federal Regulations uniform guidance. PD attended the California Community College Association of Occupational Education (CCCAOE) in April 2023. This conference focuses on work-based learning happening at community colleges and the direction occupational education is headed for Community Colleges in California. This conference held specific workshops on apprenticeships specifically for community colleges. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Employer Partners - PD met with individual employer partners, groups of employer partners, and larger consortiums of employer partners through industry partner meetings. Industry partner meetings convene employers and faculty who teach in relevant pathways to discuss curriculum content and the relevancy of what is being taught in class (theoretical) versus what is needed on the job. PD presented at multipleemployer-focused workshops. These events had a total combination of at least fifty unique employer partners in attendance, as well as community-based organizations. PD also presented at workshops in October 2022 and April 2023 for the South Valley Industrial Collaborative. These workshops highlighted apprenticeship opportunities, the benefits of apprenticeships, and how to get started on developing pathways. These were attended by twenty-five unique employers at each workshop. Local Workforce Development Boards - PD met with and taught local workforce development boards about apprenticeships in general and offered at West Hills Community College District. PD met with Fresno, Kings, and Tulare County Workforce Development Boards to promote and educate on apprenticeship opportunities and benefits for employers in the region. California Community Colleges - Throughout the year, PD Trujillo is contacted by various community colleges throughout California on how to begin setting up apprenticeships or better practices for getting started. The California Division of Apprenticeship Standards highlights West Hills as an advanced community college in apprenticeships and refers community colleges to PD Trujillo for consultation and assistance in developing apprenticeships. The California Community College Chancellors Office has also highlighted West Hills as being a leader in apprenticeships throughout the state and will refer administrators to PD Trujillo for assistance. In this reporting year, PD Trujillo discussed apprenticeship basics and how to begin an apprenticeship with at leastten community colleges throughout California's Central Valley. PD highlighted lessons learned through work on state-level and federal-level apprenticeship grants, how to begin an apprenticeship, how to correctly set up an apprenticeship institutionally, and better practices to follow. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Develop and seek approval for new apprentice-able occupations as requested by Agriculture and Agricultural related employer partners in the region. With the newly found proven success of marketing expenditures, (as of the writing of this progress report, three students are in queue to be signed up for tuition-free apprenticeship courses in Food Science and Safety), continue expenditures into the next reporting period to continue increasing enrollments in Agriculture apprenticeships. Focus on target marketing to specific populations and demographics as outlined in the goals of this project and the target audience. This will be done by partnering with WHCCD programs that service these populations, including WHCCD National Farmworker Job Programs, WHCCD High School Equivalency, and WHCCD Adult Education. PD to Focus on in-person outreach to drive enrollments in apprenticeships currently offered and soon to be offered for local employer partners. Focus on outreach involving educating and highlighting the benefits of apprenticeships from California Community Colleges and possibilities for employers to upskill new and existing employees at no cost to the employer or student.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
IMPACT: West Hills Community College District (WHCCD), with USDA NIFA support, has developed multipleapprenticeship programs that will close a severe labor market gap in agriculture technologies and food manufacturing while improving economic development for California's San Joaquin Valley. This new Department of Labor (DOL) apprenticeship program focuses on Industrial Technology and Maintenance Mechanics in Agriculture. WHCCD is developing additional agriculture-based apprenticeship pathways in truck driving and transportation to provide additional support to employers. These apprenticeships are a series of "earn-as-you-learn" 12-to-48-month training programs established, approved, or in development during this reporting period. Due to the surmounting difficulties, employers faced during and after COVID-19 to maintain operations and the newly compounding issues of supply chain and logistical chain issues, employers are now seeking new and innovative ways to retain, retrain, upskill existing, and train new employees. WHCCD Apprenticeships attends to employers' needs in the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. Goal 1: Train low-skilled incumbent workers... Creation of Mechatronics Technician Instrumentation Technician and Mechanical Maintenance apprenticeship pathways through the DOL Office of Apprenticeships, enrollment of an Industrial Mechanics apprentice student in a DOL apprenticeship. Meetings withTruck Driving employer partners to discuss apprenticeships, development, and finalization of curriculum for Truck Driving in Agriculture, Truck Driving, and Hazardous Waste Materials transportation. The completionof three apprentices in the Food Science Apprenticeship. This project will support new cohorts of truck driving and maintenance apprentices. Data collected - Employer forms, apprentice DAS-1 forms, apprentice characteristics, apprentices' on-the-job training hours and related supplemental instruction hours and transcripts, interested employers, employer mail lists, California League of Food Producers member lists, and DOL apprenticeship documentation. Summary stats on this goal pertain to three students in Food Science and one student in Maintenance Mechanics at a Meat Processing Plant.Other data collected are CA Apprenticeship requirements for apprenticeship development and programmatic continuation. Data collected on Federal DOL apprenticeship standard builder and apprenticeship development. WHCCD remains compliant with all state requirements for apprenticeships. Three additional FS&S apprentices will be added in the next report (just missed the cut-off period for this report). Four apprentice students Goal 2: Close the skills and labor gap... In tandem with the above goal, developed a new federal apprenticeship program to close skill and labor gaps in the region and throughout CA. COVID-19 has caused a new multitude of lingering issues in the local labor force, such as difficulties in retaining employees, supply chain issues, and meeting demand with lower local workforce rates. Conversations with employer partners in this reporting period led to new apprenticeship pathways to meet these unique issues that have arisen from the pandemic. Data collected - Employer forms, apprentice DAS-1 forms, Department of Labor apprenticeship standard builders, employer partners in Maintenance and Truck Driving pathways, apprentice characteristics, interested employers, employer mail lists, California League of Food Producers member lists, new employer partnerships, new apprenticeable occupations and ways to support industry needs. Summary stats on this goal pertain to three students in the Food Science apprenticeship and one DOL apprentice in Maintenance Mechanics. Other data collected are CA State Apprenticeship requirements for apprenticeship development and programmatic continuation as well as Federal DOL apprenticeship development and programmatic creation. WHCCD remains compliant with all state requirements for apprenticeships. WHCCD will also work with employers to develop new apprenticeship opportunities to ensure employer needs are met. Four apprentice students. Fifteen new industry partners considering new apprenticeship pathways to be approved in DOL apprenticeship programs. Goal 3: Recruit from... Creation of journal publication in the California Food Producer Directory, which went out to 2000 employers in Food Science and Safety (FS&S) operations. Creation and payment for Direct marketing campaigns to Food Producer HR Teams and Supervisors in Food Science Safety/Quality Assurance to highlight the apprenticeship program.PD Trujillo attended the CA Food Science Expo in February 2023to highlight FS&S Apprenticeship and discuss opportunities with employers throughout California. PD continued efforts from the second reporting period to listen to employers regarding local employment needs and how apprenticeship pathways could support them. By providing a wider array of options, more workers under this listed goal should be met and uplifted through this grant opportunity. PD met with the WHCCD Director of the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) to discuss potential pathways for apprenticeships for NFJP students which meet the requirements of migrant and seasonal incumbent workers of this goal. These meetings have highlighted the ability for cross-over support for students under these two programs. In the next reporting period, PD will work with NFJP PD to determine and submit pathways to best support students. PD also met with WHCC Adult Consortium (high schools offering high school equivalency programs throughout the service area) to promote apprenticeship opportunities and elicit feedback on apprenticeship developments. Data collected for this goal - Meetings with different groups listed above. No summary statistics or result discussions for this goal. No major accomplishments to report. Goal 4: Increase the number... Three students registered in the FS&Sapprenticeship program received a certificate from WHCCD and a State-sponsored certificate as a journeylevel workerin Quality Assurance/Quality Control Technician. One DOL registered apprentice in Maintenance Mechanics will receive a certificate from WHCL and a certificate from DOL Apprenticeships upon completion. Data collected in this period include continuing and graduating the three apprentices in Food Sciencewith a certificate from WHCCD and an opportunity for educational continuation through transferring. Data was also collected on the DOL apprenticeship student in Maintenance Mechanics.WHCCD Faculty collected data on student progress and student success with the outcomes outlined in each course taken by Food Science apprentices/Maintenance Mechanic apprentices.PD is the named sponsor of all CA DAS apprenticeship programs owned by WHCCD. WHCCD is also the named sponsor/owner of DOL apprenticeship programs.This means PD works individually with employers and students to sign them up for the CA DAS/DOL apprenticeships, complete their paperwork, and mentor them in proper paperwork management/reporting and how to be successful on the college/related supplemental instruction side. PD is the named sponsor of new pathways in development for apprenticeships. By including more pathways in work-based learning apprenticeships, PD will be able to bolster the number of students in careers related to Ag and outreach to the project's target audiences. Summary stats include the student characteristics as listed above in previous goals, but also qualitative data that helps WHCCD faculty with course development/curriculum development to show how useful potential content can be to those working directly in Food Science and Safety and Maintenance Mechanics. Three graduated students registered as Food Science and Safety apprentices. One registered and continuing Maintenance Mechanic DOL apprentice student. Goals are shortened to comply with reporting length.
Publications
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Progress 07/01/21 to 06/30/22
Outputs
Target Audience:1) Incumbent agricultural farm and food production plant labor PD attempted to reach the target audience above by publishing an advertisement in the California Food Producer Membership & Committee Directory, tabling at the Annual California Food Producer Food Expo in February 2022, and directly meeting with employer partners and holding workshops focused on agriculture apprenticeships. The advertisement reaches 2000 Food Producers throughout California that are a part of the California League of Food Producers. PD also reached out to HR Managers and Food Science QA Managers throughout the California League of Food Producers to reach employers who may be able to recommend and promote their employees. PD met with multiple employer partners and HR teams to discuss opportunities to move forward in apprenticeships and identified other training avenues employer partners need apprenticeships in. This led to the creation and approval of a new DOL registered apprenticeship in manufacturing and industrial maintenance. 2) Migrant and seasonal farmworkers In the previousreporting period, attempts were made to partner with WHCCD Adult Education Consortium (schools within the District service area that provide services to migrant workers and their families), but initial conversations made it clear that students thrown directly into an apprenticeship would not be successful and need additional support and supportive curriculum to bring them to speed in terms of language, and a better understanding of how to complete college level and college rigor courses. PD is continuing these conversations to develop shorter-term pathways in non-credit and leveraging other programs to ensure students who are looking to apprentice without college experience can be brought up to speed with the expected rigor and not be lost in the college system. In this reporting period, WHCCD received funds to support farm workers through the National Farm Worker Program (NFJP). PD met with NFJP staff during this reporting period to determine short-term apprenticeship pathways that could support NFJP students and apprentices. These initial conversations have led to a highlighted need for fast-paced, short-term training that could leverage apprenticeship models. In the next reporting period, the PD and NFJP staff will work on developing a truck-driving apprenticeship to alleviate issues for agriculture employers in the region while lifting and bolstering farmworker students. In the next reporting period, PD will be able to reach this target audience with proven training and requested training by farmworker students. 4) Industry, including local agribusiness, food manufacturers, and farmers Besides the information provided under target audience one (1), PD partnered with the California League of Food Producers. Currently, over 2000 industry partners are in the California League and can be reached through marketing in the California League magazine, as well as additional targetedmarketing to these industry partners. PD attended the California League of Food Producers Food Expo in February 2022 to discuss apprenticeships with employer partners in agriculture, food manufacturing, and farmers. In this reporting period, PD leveraged funds to provide targeted marketing to food science and safety to employer partners throughout California. After discussions with employer partners in this reporting period, new training pathways in manufacturing and industrial maintenance and truck driving are being developed and implemented to support agriculture employers and employees in these related pathways. In the next reporting period, additional funds will be expended to educate, highlight, and notify employer partners of these potential training opportunities. 5) Educators, including faculty, college staff, and administrators throughout the state WHCCD currently serves as an expert consultant on apprenticeships in California for non-traditional apprenticeships funded through the California Community College Chancellors Office. PD Trujillo is recommended by staff at the Chancellor's Office and the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards to consult on how to set up apprenticeships, how to appropriately fund apprenticeships, how to receive funding, and how to get employers together to promote programs. During this reporting period, PD Trujillo consulted with multiple California Community Colleges about apprenticeship programs using the Food Science and Safety program as an example of how to set up a program from scratch and get employers engaged and promote an agriculture-based curriculum for the ag industry. PD Trujillo was a keynote speaker at the California Central Valley Motherlode Region retreat in June 2022. This is a consortium of fifteen California Community Colleges throughout California's Central Valley. PD Trujillo advised attendees on how to set up apprenticeships, the legality surrounding apprenticeships, best practices and lessons learned, and how to leverage grant funding to begin working on apprenticeships. 7) Community-based organizations and local agencies to build a referral network for apprenticeships During this reporting period, PD worked with the Center for Land-Based Learning and WHCCD signed on as the Local Educational Agency to provide agriculture courses for their Farm Manager Apprentices. This provided fifteen students with agriculture courses in Food Science and Safety. PD also presented at multiple conferences/workshops that had local workforce development boards and local agencies in attendance. PD educated on apprenticeship basics and highlighted referral networks that could be developed and designed when considering apprenticeships. PD also met with local workforce boards (Fresno, Tulare, and Kings Counties) to discuss apprenticeship opportunities currently being offered and how to support local employer partners seeking to train new or upskill existing staff members. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During this reporting period, PD Trujillo finished the 2021 E Kika De La Garza Fellowship with the USDA. PD Trujillo explained the benefits of the fellowship to staff and encouraged other staff members from WHCCD to apply. This fellowship also helps ensure that Agriculture curriculum being taught at WHCCD is aligned with the USDA. PD and Administrative Support attended conference/workshop training in November 2021 for grant management and legality surrounding federal grant management and the Code of Federal Regulations uniform guidance. PD attended the California Community College Association of Occupational Education (CCCAOE) in April 2022. This conference focuses on work-based learning happening at community colleges and the direction occupational education is headedfor Community Colleges in California. This conference held specific workshops on apprenticeships specifically for community colleges. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Statewide Dissemination Efforts: Employer Partners - PD met with individual employer partners, groups of employer partners, and larger consortiums of employer partners through industry partner meetings. Industry partner meetings convene employers and faculty who teach in relevant pathways to discuss curriculum content and the relevancy of what is being taught in class (theoretical) versus what is needed on the job. PD presented at the Agriculture Industry meeting in December 2021 and the Industrial Technology Industry meeting in October 2021. These events had twenty and fifteen unique employer partners in attendance, as well as community-based organizations. PD also presented at two seminar/workshop events to employer partners in April and June of 2022. These workshops highlighted apprenticeship opportunities, the benefits of apprenticeships, and how to get started on developing pathways. These were attended by twenty unique employers at each workshop and involved staff from the Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeships. Local Workforce Development Boards - PD met with and taught local workforce development boards about apprenticeships in general and offered at West Hills Community College District. PD met with Fresno, Kings, and Tulare County Workforce Development Boards to promote and educate on apprenticeship opportunities and benefits for employers in the region. California Community Colleges - PD presented to the Central Mother Lode Regional Consortium in June 2022. As a keynote speaker, PD Trujillo discussed apprenticeship basics and how to begin an apprenticeship tofifteen community colleges throughout California's Central Valley. PD highlighted lessons learned through work on state-level and federal-level apprenticeship grants, how to begin an apprenticeship, how to correctly set up an apprenticeship institutionally, and better practices to follow. Throughout the year, PD Trujillo is contacted by various community colleges throughout California on how to begin setting up apprenticeships or better practices for getting started. Nationwide Dissemination Efforts: PD Trujillo co-presented at the 14th Annual Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, on grant development and apprenticeships. PD highlighted initial small funding streams that led to the current USDA NIFA effort to support work-based learning in agricultural apprenticeships and how that could be relevant for other HSIs serving similar target audience student populations nationwide. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Seek Department of Labor approval as well as the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards approval for the Agricultural Truck Driving apprenticeships to offer new and innovative apprenticeship opportunities to employers, employees, and potential employees in the region. Develop and seek approval fornew apprentice-able occupations as requested by Agriculture and Agricultural related employer partners in the region. Focus on target marketing to employer partners in Food Science and Safety andIndustrial Technology/Mechanical Maintenance for programs already approved and developed to support occupational and work-based learning in these industries. Statewide marketing for these opportunities will bolster enrollments and access for students. Focus on target marketing to specific populations and demographics as outlined in the goals of this project and the target audience. This will be done by partnering with WHCCD programs that service these populations, including WHCCD National Farmworker Job Programs, WHCCD High School Equivalency, and WHCCD Adult Education. PD to Focus on outreach to drive enrollments in apprenticeships currently offered and soon to be offered for local employer partners. Focus on outreach involving educating and highlighting the benefits of apprenticeships from California Community Colleges and possibilities for employers to upskill new and existing employees at no cost to the employer or student.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
IMPACT: West Hills Community College District (WHCCD), with USDA NIFAsupport, developed an apprenticeship program that will close a severe labor market gap in agriculture technologies and food manufacturing while improving economic development for California's San Joaquin Valley. This new Department of Labor (DOL) apprenticeship program focuses on Industrial Technology and Maintenance Mechanics in Agriculture. WHCCD is developing additional agriculture-based apprenticeship pathways in truck driving and transportation to provide additional support to employers. These apprenticeships area series of "earn-as-you-learn" 12-to-48-month training programs established, approved, or in development during this reporting period. Due to the surmounting difficulties employers faced during and after COVID-19 to maintain operations and the newly compounding issues of supply chain and logistical chain issues, employers are now seeking new and innovative ways to retain, retrain, upskill existing, and train new employees. The already developed apprenticeship program, in combination with the new programs in development, intends toemployers' needs in the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. Goal 1: Train low-skilled incumbent workers... 1. Creation of Mechatronics Technician Instrumentation Technician and Mechanical Maintenance apprenticeship pathways through the DOL Office of Apprenticeships (approved shortly after the end of this progress reporting period). Initial meeting/planning of Truck Driving apprenticeships with employer partners. The continued progress of three apprentices in the Food Science Apprenticeship. This project will support new cohorts of truck driving and maintenance apprentices. 2. Data collected - Employer forms, apprentice DAS-1 forms, apprentice characteristics, apprentices' on-the-job training hours and related supplemental instruction hours and transcripts, interested employers, employer mail lists, California League of Food Producers member lists 3. Summary stats on this goalpertain to three students in Food Science. Other data collected are CA Apprenticeship requirements for apprenticeship development and programmatic continuation. Data collected on Federal DOL apprenticeship standard builder and apprenticeship development. WHCCD remains compliant with all state requirements for apprenticeships. 4. Three apprentice students Goal 2: Close the skills and labor gap... 1. In tandem with the above goal, developed a new federal apprenticeship program to close skill and labor gaps in the region and throughout California. COVID-19 has caused a new multitude of lingering issues in the local labor force, such as difficulties in retaining employees, supply chain issues, and meeting demand with lower local workforce rates. Conversations with employer partners in this reporting period led to new apprenticeship pathways to meet these unique issues that have arisenfrom the pandemic. 2. Data collected - Employer forms, apprentice DAS-1 forms, Department of Labor apprenticeship standard builders, employer partners in Maintenance and Truck Driving pathways, apprentice characteristics, interested employers, employer mail lists, California League of Food Producers member lists, new employer partnerships, new apprenticeable occupations and ways to support industry needs. 3. Summary stats on this goal only pertain to three students in the Food Science apprenticeship. Other data collected are CA State Apprenticeship requirements for apprenticeship development and programmatic continuation as well as Federal DOL apprenticeship development and programmatic creation. WHCCD remains compliant with all state requirements for apprenticeships. WHCCD willalso work with employers to develop new apprenticeship opportunities to ensure employer needs are met. 4. Three apprentice students. Fifteen new industry partners considering new apprenticeship pathways to be approved in DOL apprenticeship programs. Goal 3: Recruit from... 1. Creation of journal publication in the California Food Producer Directory, which went out to 2000 employers in Food Science and Safety (FS&S) operations. PD Trujillo attended the California Food Science Expo in February 2022 to highlight FS&S Apprenticeship and discuss opportunities with employers throughout California. PD continued efforts from the first reporting period to listen to employers regardinglocal employment needs and how apprenticeship pathways could support them, leading to the creation of new federal apprenticeship programs in Industrial Technology and, in the next reporting period, Truck Driving. By providing a wider array of options, more workers under this listed goal should be met and uplifted through this grant opportunity. PD met with WHCCD National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) to discuss potential pathways for apprenticeships for NFJP students which meet the requirements of migrant and seasonal incumbent workers of this goal. These meetings have highlighted the ability for cross-over support for students under these two programs. In the next reporting period, PD will work with NFJP PD to determine and submit pathways to best support students. PD also met with WHCC Adult Consortium (high schools offering high school equivalency programs throughout the service area) to promote apprenticeship opportunities and elicit feedback on apprenticeship developments. 2. Data collected for this goal - Meetings with different groups listed above 3. No summary statistics or result discussions for this goal. 4. No major accomplishments to report Goal 4: Increase the number... 1. Three students registered in an apprenticeship program with a pathway to a certificate from WHCCD and a State-sponsored certificate once the apprenticeship is completed. Supported the related supplemental instruction of twelve students in the Beginning Farm Manager (BFM) apprenticeship through the Center for Land-Based Learning (CLBL). 2. Data collected in this period includes continuing students in Food Science apprenticeships with a pathway to a certificate from WHCCD and an opportunity for educational continuation through transferring.WHCCD Faculty collected data on student progress and student success with the outcomes outlined in each course taken by Food Science apprentices. PD also collected demographic information on students enrolled in Agriculture classes in the CLBL apprenticeship program for BFM. WHCCD provided the related supplemental instruction and acted as the local educational agency for this CA DAS registered apprenticeship program. PD is the named sponsor of all CA DAS apprenticeship programs owned by WHCCD. This means PD works individually with employers and students to sign them up with the CA DAS, complete their paperwork, and mentor them in proper paperwork management/reporting and how to be successful on the college/related supplemental instruction side. PD is the named sponsor on new pathways in development for apprenticeships.By including more pathways in work-based learning apprenticeships, PD will be able to bolster the number of students in careers related to Ag and outreach to the above target audiences. 3. Summary stats include the student characteristics as listed above in previous goals, but also qualitative data that helps WHCCD faculty with course development/curriculum development to show how useful potential content can be to those working directly in Food Science and Safety, Industrial Maintenance/Maintenance Mechanics and in the next reporting period, Truck Driving. 4. Three continuing students registered as Food Science and Safety apprentices; twelve students supported in tuition-free related supplemental instruction courses in Agriculture. Goals are shortened to comply withreporting length.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Boomer, B., Trujillo, N.(2022, March, 29). Small Grants Lead to Lasting Impacts [Conference Session]. 14th Annual Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators Best Practices, Santa Ana Pueblo, NM, United States. https://ahsie.org/ahsie-best-practices-conference-2022
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
California League of Food Producers (2021, October). Looking to upskill and retain your current workforce? [Advertisement]. 2021-2022 Membership & Committee Directory, CFP-D0021-3981, 80.
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Progress 07/01/20 to 06/30/21
Outputs
Target Audience:1) Incumbent agricultural farm and food production plant labor PD attempted to reach target audience above by publishing an article in the California Food Producer Journal. This journal reaches 2000 Food Producers throughout California that are a part of the California League of Food Producers. PD also reached out to HR Managers and Food Science QA Managers throughout the California League of Food Producers to reach employers who may be able to recommend and promote their employees. This direct contact with HR Managers and FS Managers led to WHCCD partnering with two employers to provide apprenticeship Food Science and Safety curriculum and related supplemental instruction for three employees in the field. 2) Migrant and seasonal farmworkers Attempts were made to partner with WHCCD Adult Education Consortium (schools within the district service area that provide services to migrant workers and their families), but initial conversations made it clear that students thrown directly into an apprenticeship would not be successful and need additional support and supportive curriculum to bring them to speed in terms of language, and a better understanding of how to complete college level and college rigor courses. PD will continue conversations with Consortium to determine if pathways of pre-apprenticeship (i.e. English as a Second Language, High School Equivalency, Citizenship courses) can be developed and leveraged to ensure this target audience does not face any detrimentto joining straight into an apprenticeship or joining the industry without additional supports. 4) Industry including: local agribusiness, food manufacturers, and farmers Besides the information provided under target audience one (1), PD partnered with the California League of Food Producers. Currently, over 2000 industry partners are in the California League and can be reached through marketing in the California League magazine, as well as additional targeting marketing to these particular industry partners. PD will expend funds in the next reporting period to target market the apprenticeship program to these employers. 5) Educators including faculty, college staff, and administrators throughout the state WHCCD currently serves as an expert consultant on apprenticeships in California for non-traditional apprenticeships funded through the California Community College Chancellors Office. PD Trujillo is recommended by staff at the Chancellors Office to consult on how to set up apprenticeships, how to appropriately fund apprenticeships, how to receive funding and how to get employers together to promote programs. During this report period, PD Trujillo consulted with multiple California Community Colleges about apprenticeship programs using the Food Science and Safety program as an example of how to set up a program from scratch and get employers engaged and promote agriculture-based curriculum for the ag industry. PD Trujillo consulted with Hartnell College, West Los Angeles College and Coastline Community College. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the progress report period, PDNickolas Trujillo applied for and was accepted to the USDA 2021 E Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program. This fellowship opportunity provided the PDan opportunity to hear from a multifaceted of departments within the USDA. This fellowship program also allowed PDTrujillo the opportunity to meet with USDA Departments such as the Agricultural Marketing Service and the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service to determine possible venues for marketing and outreach during the next reporting year to ensure goals are being met and more students and employers can be served during the grant period and beyond. PDand Administrative Support attended workshop training on the OMB changes to the Uniform Grant Guidance and revisions to EDGAR that became effective July 1, 2021 [Training held in May 2021]. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?COVID-19 caused a rippling effect of issues throughout California, specifically for Food Producers and Facilities which this grant targets for apprenticeable employment. Agriculture based and Food Facility Employers were not available to discuss potential apprenticeship opportunities or did not have the capacity to discuss the potential for employee upskilling and workforce development during the initial months of the COVID-19 virus and after that. During the ending months of this reporting period, employers began re-engaging WHCCD in an attempt to bolster their current workforce and help them train new employees to be up to industrial standards. During the next reporting period, WHCCD commits to: Create multitudes ofadditional marketing resources highlighting apprenticeships in Food Science and Safety and promote them in a more targeted format to employers and employees in Food Science and Safety who would benefit from this opportunity. Partnerwith USDA Departments such as AMS and Food Safety Inspection Service to promote apprenticeship opportunity to additional employers and employees who may not see this opportunity through standard marketing channels of WHCCD. Createadditional pathways of apprenticeable occupations in Agriculture including ag-based industry manufacturers who may need automation technicians, electrical technicians and industrial maintenance mechanics to meet the local needs of ag based employers in the region. Seek Department of Labor approval for the above apprenticeable positions, as well as California Division of Apprenticeship Standards approval to offer apprenticeship opportunities to employers, employees, and potential employees in the region. Work with WHCCD Agriculture faculty to identify additional apprenticeship pathways based on industry need, local and statewide, and develop apprenticeship pathways (both Department of Labor nationwide and CA Division of Apprenticeship Standard approval) for new and innovating apprenticeship pathways, including, but not limited to: agriculture food truck drivers (those transporting crops from the field to the factory/processing plants) and Heavy Equipment Operators (those operating tractor equipment on Agricultural fields).
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
IMPACT: West Hills Community College District (WHCCD) with USDA NIFA support developed an apprenticeship program that will close of a severe labor market gap in agriculture technologies and food manufacturing while improving economic development for California's San Joaquin Valley. This apprenticeship program, which received California Division of Apprenticeship Standards approval during this project reporting period, focuses on Food Science and Safety Quality Assurance Technicians and Food Producer Employers throughout California. WHCCD is also developing additional agriculture-based apprenticeship pathways in manufacturing and auto-metronics to support the industrial maintenance mechanic side to provide additional support to food producers and agriculture-based manufactures. These apprenticeships are a series of "earn-as-you-learn" 24-to-48-month training programs established, approved or are in development during the initial 12-month grant period. Due to the surmounting difficulties employers faced during COVID-19 to maintain operations and ensure capacity and food production was not halted or interrupted, employers did not have the capacity to react to training opportunities offered by WHCCD. Now that a sense of normality is reinstated in the economy and the general population, employers are seeking new methods to retain employees or develop a new workforce. The already developed apprenticeship program, in combination with the new programs in development, shall met employers needs in the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. Goal 1: Train low-skilled incumbent workers and career-ready job seekers in sustainable... Creation and approval of Food Science and Safety Quality Assurance Technician Apprenticeship Program by CA Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Signed two employers onto apprenticeship standard and signed up three apprentices to Food Science Apprenticeship. Through this project, WHCCD can offer the apprentices Food Science and Safety college courses (in programmatic infancy and subject to course cancellation) at no tuition cost. Data collected - Employer forms, apprentice DAS-1 forms, apprentice characteristics, interested employers, employer mail lists, California League of Food Producers member lists Summary stats on this goal object only pertain to three students in the Food Science apprenticeship. Other data collected are CA State Apprenticeship requirements for apprenticeship development and programmatic continuation. WHCCD remains compliant with all state requirements for apprenticeships. Three apprentice students, two employers signed onto apprenticeship standards. Goal 2: Close the skills and labor gap and transform the economic climate of depressed, rural communities by the development, implementation, and administration of apprenticeship among food manufacturers... In tandem with the above goal, developed state approved apprenticeship program to close skill and labor gaps in the region and throughout California. COVID-19 has caused a new facet of issues that WHCCD is responded to to ensure employer needs are being met and that employees are receiving the training they need. WHCCD is also creating new apprenticeship pathways to support additional employers and employees in the ag-based industry. Data collected - Employer forms, apprentice DAS-1 forms, apprentice characteristics, interested employers, employer mail lists, California League of Food Producers member lists, new employer partnerships, new apprenticeable occupations and ways to support industry needs. Summary stats on this goal object only pertain to three students in the Food Science apprenticeship. Other data collected are CA State Apprenticeship requirements for apprenticeship development and programmatic continuation. WHCCD remains compliant with all state requirements for apprenticeships. WHCCD shall also work with employers to develop the new apprenticeship opportunities to ensure employer needs are met. Three apprentice students, two employers signed onto apprenticeship standards. Ten new industry partners considering new apprenticeship pathways to be developed in Department of Labor approved apprenticeship programs. Goal 3: Recruit from migrant and seasonal incumbent workers, WIOA candidates, minority and disadvantaged populations, high schools, and college campuses in rural areas. Creation of journal publication in the California Food Producer magazine which went out to 2000 employers in Food Science and Safety operations. Due to COVID-19, WHCCD PD was not able to attend manufacturing career job fairs, hold workshops, informational sessions, or industry summits in person. However, PD met with employers through online meeting platforms and e-mail to promote agriculture-based apprenticeship opportunities and to go on a listening tour of other employers to find out employer needs/industry needs to help develop new apprenticeship opportunities. Met with WHCC Adult Consortium (high schools offering high school equivalency programs throughout the WHCCD service area) to promote apprenticeship opportunities and illicit feedback on apprenticeship developments and possible pre apprenticeship program developments to ensure the enlisted groups above could be better supported for an apprenticeship opportunity/prepared to handle more college level curriculum through related supplemental instruction. Met monthly with high school administration to promote apprenticeship opportunity and pre apprenticeship development to ensure students could be prepared to be successful for an apprenticeship opportunity. Data collected for this goal - Meetings with different groups listed above No summary statistics or result discussions for this goal, besides a road map to approach apprenticeship development and recruitment of apprenticeship students in the next reporting period. No major accomplishments to report Goal 4: Increase the number of students in jobs related to careers in agriculture and food manufacturing with a pathway, educational plan, and skills competencies that are clearly outlined... Three students registered in an apprenticeship program with a pathway to a certificate from WHCCD and a State sponsored certificate once apprenticeship is completed. Data collected in this period includes additional students in Food Science apprenticeships with a pathway to a certificate from WHCCD and opportunity of educational continuation through transferring to another higher institute of education in Agriculture or Food Safety. WHCCD Faculty collected data on student progress and student success with the outcomes outlined in each course taken by Food Science apprentices. Apprentices were also mentored directly by PD on all levels of college enrollment and how to be successful in college courses. PD is also the named sponsor of all CA Division of Apprenticeship Standards apprenticeship programs owned by WHCCD. This means PD works individually with employers and students to sign them up with the CA DAS, complete their paperwork, and mentor them in proper paperwork management/reporting and how to be successful on the college/related supplemental instruction side. PD also illicit feedback from apprentices on the relation between RSI and OJT, and how applicable the material they are learning in class affects their day-to-day work operations. Summary stats include the student characteristics as listed above in previous goals, but also qualitative data that helps WHCCD faculty with course development/curriculum development to show how useful potential content can be to those working directly in Food Science and Safety. Three students registered as apprentices Goals were shortened to ensure reporting length was not too long. These goals refer to the major goals of the project and have been responded to in the order they show on REEport and the Project Initiation.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Trujillo, N. (2020, December). West Hills Community College District Partners with CLFP: Apprenticeship Program. California Food Producer. Winter Edition 2020, 16-18. https://clfp.com/wp-content/uploads/CLFP_winter20_150dpi-FINAL-2.pdf
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