COMMUNITY COLLEGES OPEN SPRING ENROLLMENT FOR CAREER CLASSES

The San Diego/imperial Valley region’s community colleges and Continuing Education centers are ready for a new crop of students. Spring enrollment is open and Career Education programs, many of which prepare students in two years or less for competitive middle-skill jobs, are accepting new students at all campuses.

“It’s a new year, and now is the time to take steps toward a new career,” said Martha Garcia, superintendent and president of Imperial Valley College, in a statement. “Our colleges have hundreds of affordable programs that help prepare students for careers in booming fields, such as computer science, health science and cybersecurity.”

Middle-skills jobs, which require more education than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree, are the fastestgrowing job category in San Diego and Imperial counties. Employment in these fields, which include jobs such as medical lab technician and web developer, earn well above the area’s median wage.

Community college Career Education

programs are an affordable path to a rewarding career. Credit courses cost $46 per credit, compared with an average of $594 per credit for a four-year college course. Also, at many of the colleges, first-time, full-time students can have fees waived for the first two years, and noncredit continuing education classes are free. Career Education programs can provide complete career training for as little as $3,000, and 71 percent of students are employed within a year of graduation.

Here’s a roundup of community college spring semester start dates, new classes and programs that are seeking new students. Check individual school websites for details.

Miracosta College: Jan. 21; miracosta.edu

New programs/courses: Cybersecurity, Sustainable Agriculture, Business Quick Startup, Engineering Technology, Tax Preparer Program and Payroll Professional, Digital Media, Medical Assistance Program

Palomar College: Jan. 27; palomarcollege.edu

New programs/courses: Onesemester

Child Development Certificate

Programs seeking students: Wastewater Technology; Water Technology; HVAC

Cuyamaca College: Jan. 27; cuyamaca.edu

New programs/courses: English 200: Internships for English majors (placements with marketing/pr firms, corporate technical writing teams and educational institutions)

Grossmont College: Jan. 27; grossmont.edu

New programs/courses: Data Sciences certificate; multiple Cybersecurity programs

San Diego Continuing Education: Jan. 27; sdce.edu

New programs/courses: Family Home Day Care at César E. Chávez Campus; Health Unit Coordinator

New facilities or partnerships: Free HVAC career training classes at Serra High School

Programs seeking students: Clothing and Textiles; Service Advisor; Office Skills Labs; Business Communication (soft, foundational, and technical skills for administrative support and other roles); Health Care

Southwestern College: Jan. 29; swccd.edu

New programs/courses: 10 new Fire Science classes at Higher Education Center Otay Mesa

New facilities or partnerships: Public safety training at Higher Education Center Otay Mesa, offering fire tower for live burns and a scenario simulation apartment complex for firefighting, EMT, paramedic and police academy students

Programs seeking students: Hotel Management, Event Management, and Travel and Tourism Management at the Chula Vista campus

San Diego Miramar College: Feb. 3; sdmiramar.edu

Programs seeking students: Small Business Entrepreneurship; Administrative Assistant; Paralegal; Banking and Finance; Biotech and Medical Lab; Advanced Transportation (Diesel Tech, Gold Star program); Manufacturer-specific Automotive (T-TEN and PACT); Aviation and Drone Ops

San Diego Mesa College:

Feb. 3; sdmesa.edu

New programs/courses: Fermentation Management; prerequisites for the upcoming Neurodiagnostic Technology program

New facilities or partnerships: Upgraded Architecture Model Shop, including full-time Instructional Technician; Upgraded Architecture and Interior Design Photo Shop

Programs seeking students: Dental Assisting; Medical Assisting; Business PACE program; Geographic Information Systems; Multimedia; Web Development

San Diego City College: Feb. 3; sdcity.edu

Imperial Valley College: Feb. 18; imperial.edu

New programs/courses: Business Information Systems; Computer Information Technology; Corrections Officer; Cybersecurity; Low Voltage Systems; Microsoft Office; Public Health Science; Retail Management

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com