Sierra College CACT Partnership Wins Award

Recognized by the Placer County Economic Development Board

Rocklin, Calif. – On March 18, the Placer County Economic Development Board presented a public sector award to Sierra College, Golden Sierra Job Training Agency and the California Conservation Corps (CCC), explained David Snyder, Director, Office of Economic Development, Placer County. “These organizations worked collaboratively to deliver a Construction Training program that will transition young adults from low-wage, low-skill occupations to in-demand construction trade jobs,” said Snyder.

Through Proposition 39 funding awarded to the Sacramento Employment Training Agency and Golden Sierra Job Training Agency, the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) training provided students with a gateway to joint industry registered apprenticeships in the Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD), AFL-CIO. On January 16, 2015, 19 corps members completed 120 hours of MC3 classroom and laboratory training, and received certificates of completion.

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

Students built a raised outdoor stage to apply the skills they’d learned such as safety, blueprint reading, materials estimating and ordering, materials management, construction math, tool management, concrete and carpentry, change orders and punch lists.  In addition, CCC members earned OSHA 10 certification and First Aid/CPR Certification. Receiving a MC3 certificate will give participants preference in indenturing apprenticeships.

The training program graduates are gaining additional On-the-Job-Training with the CCC working on energy audit and retrofit projects at schools. They also have the option of continuing their education at Sierra College in the Construction and Energy Technology program; the faculty was also involved in developing and teaching the MC3 project.

Carol Pepper-Kittredge, Director, Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT), Sierra College, explained that the college developed and has delivered pre-apprenticeship training in energy retrofit and construction, and energy surveying to the CCC for six years.  “The MC3 program is a reflection of the relationships that have been sustained over time between workforce development, post-secondary education, and job training organizations and institutions,” said Pepper-Kittredge. 

“Creating a skilled workforce that meets employer needs requires strong partnerships,” said Pepper-Kittredge.  “The collective effort of Sierra College, Golden Sierra and the California Conservation Corps resulted in a successful training model that can be replicated and taken to scale statewide.”

The organizations worked together to teach CCC members the skills needed by employers explained Rod Thornhill, Center Director, CCC Sacramento & Placer. “Sierra College CACT trainer, Brian Hurd, developed curriculum and, with Sierra College instructor Steve Geiger, taught basic construction skills, safety and history on union trade jobs,” said Thornhill.  “Golden Sierra followed up with the students, working with them on their resumes and other career skills.”

Jason Buckingham, Executive Director, Golden Sierra Job Training Agency agreed that the partnership was very effective.  “We were very fortunate to work with Sierra College and the CCC,” said Buckingham. “The three partners came together, focusing on their unique expertise, to offer a program that will give the Corps members a competitive advantage with apprenticeship programs across the state.”

About Sierra College CACT

The Sierra College CACT is funded through the Economic and Workforce Development program of the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.  Since 1992, the Sierra College CACT has provided training for organizations, manufacturers and technology companies throughout Northern California.

About the California Conservation Corps

The California Conservation Corps is a state agency that puts together young people and the environment, to the benefit of both. Young men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 sign up for a year of working outdoors to improve California’s natural resources.   More than 120,000 young people have been a part of the CCC since 1976. Contact the CCC at www.ccc.ca.gov.

About Golden Sierra Job Training Agency

The agency has been changing the lives of job seekers and improving businesses since 1983. Serving Placer, El Dorado and Alpine Counties, the agency’s investments keep youth in school and improve their skills, assist job seekers with career transition and training, and reduce costs for small businesses. Learn more at http://goldensierra.com/.