More students spring from tough times
[2008-12-23 17:03:34]
More students spring from tough times
Discouraged about finding another job in the mortgage industry, the56-year-old Alpine resident enrolled in a free, fast-paced businessoffice training program at Grossmont College.
“It's like a full-time job,” she said of her long daysat the El Cajon community college, learning business language,office procedures and computer programs.
Students like Mowett are a major reason community colleges acrossthe state were a hot destination this fall. Preliminary figuresshow enrollment at California community colleges is up by 100,000students, with many enrolling in short vocational programs toupgrade their skills or retrain for new careers.
“A lot of people have gone back to community colleges toimprove their skill sets and make themselves more marketable in theworkplace,” said Ron Owens, spokesman for the CaliforniaCommunity Colleges Chancellor's Office.
The enrollment surge comes at a time when unemployment has risento 6.4 percent in San Diego County, up from 4.8 percent last fall,according to the state's Employment Development Department.
Career counselors often refer clients to community colleges forquick certification programs, said Mary Cate O'Malley, spokeswomanfor the San Diego Workforce Partnership, which oversees severalcareer centers in the region.
“It's so affordable,” O'Malley said. “We'reblessed with an incredible community college system that trulyunderstands the work force.”
At $20 per unit, the cost of enrolling at community colleges is abargain for many. Some classes are free in areas such asinformation technology, culinary arts, health care, constructionand auto technology.
In the San Diego Community College District, enrollment is up 3.5percent this fall.
In Oceanside, enrollment at MiraCosta College is up by a record12.5 percent “due partially to the economic downturn,”spokeswoman Cheryl Kyle said.
She said two types of students are filling classrooms: those tryingto save money by completing lower-division courses beforetransferring to four-year colleges, and those upgrading theirskills.
The college offers certificate programs that take one semester tocomplete, including in data entry, medical transcription and officeassistance. The CISCO Networking Academy is a free computernetworking program that prepares students for careers in small-tomedium-size offices.
In San Marcos, where enrollment is up 2.5 percent at PalomarCollege, there is also a rush for training courses. “All ourteachers are saying their classes are full,” said WilmaOwens, dean of career and technical education.
Popular courses include welding, diesel mechanics, graphic design,medical information systems, even real estate, she said.“Some people think the (housing) market is not going to bedown for too long,” Owens said.
Enrollment is also up at community colleges in South and Eastcounties and, like others across the state, they're trying to meetthe rising demand while also dealing with funding reductions.
At Grossmont College, the Office Professional Training Program hastrained 2,000 students since 1985. Most graduates of the 17-weekprogram continue to find jobs in accounting, insurance oradministrative support work.
“Office support people are always going to be needed,”said Mary Leslie, the program's lead instructor.
According to state employment projections for San Diego County, theoccupations with the most openings from 2006 to 2016 include officeclerks, administrative assistants, bookkeeping, accounting andauditing clerks, accountants and auditors.
The office program, which is looking for funding, has been ablessing for Sally Langs, 56, of Coronado, who decided to return towork after her husband lost his job as a lawyer. She had been astay-at-home mom for nearly 20 years. Employers told Langs, aformer paralegal and legal secretary, that she needed to upgradeher skills.
“My experience was extensive many moons ago,” Langssaid. “I had no current job history. My computer skills wereso outdated.”
She feels at ease now, though busier than ever after starting theoffice training program in August.
“It's been such an awakening,” she said. Leonel Sanchez: (619) 542-4568; leonel.sanchez@uniontrib.com
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/education/20081103-9999-1m3train.html [2008-11-4]
Tag : SpringDiscouraged about finding another job in the mortgage industry, the56-year-old Alpine resident enrolled in a free, fast-paced businessoffice training program at Grossmont College.
“It's like a full-time job,” she said of her long daysat the El Cajon community college, learning business language,office procedures and computer programs.
Students like Mowett are a major reason community colleges acrossthe state were a hot destination this fall. Preliminary figuresshow enrollment at California community colleges is up by 100,000students, with many enrolling in short vocational programs toupgrade their skills or retrain for new careers.
“A lot of people have gone back to community colleges toimprove their skill sets and make themselves more marketable in theworkplace,” said Ron Owens, spokesman for the CaliforniaCommunity Colleges Chancellor's Office.
The enrollment surge comes at a time when unemployment has risento 6.4 percent in San Diego County, up from 4.8 percent last fall,according to the state's Employment Development Department.
Career counselors often refer clients to community colleges forquick certification programs, said Mary Cate O'Malley, spokeswomanfor the San Diego Workforce Partnership, which oversees severalcareer centers in the region.
“It's so affordable,” O'Malley said. “We'reblessed with an incredible community college system that trulyunderstands the work force.”
At $20 per unit, the cost of enrolling at community colleges is abargain for many. Some classes are free in areas such asinformation technology, culinary arts, health care, constructionand auto technology.
In the San Diego Community College District, enrollment is up 3.5percent this fall.
In Oceanside, enrollment at MiraCosta College is up by a record12.5 percent “due partially to the economic downturn,”spokeswoman Cheryl Kyle said.
She said two types of students are filling classrooms: those tryingto save money by completing lower-division courses beforetransferring to four-year colleges, and those upgrading theirskills.
The college offers certificate programs that take one semester tocomplete, including in data entry, medical transcription and officeassistance. The CISCO Networking Academy is a free computernetworking program that prepares students for careers in small-tomedium-size offices.
In San Marcos, where enrollment is up 2.5 percent at PalomarCollege, there is also a rush for training courses. “All ourteachers are saying their classes are full,” said WilmaOwens, dean of career and technical education.
Popular courses include welding, diesel mechanics, graphic design,medical information systems, even real estate, she said.“Some people think the (housing) market is not going to bedown for too long,” Owens said.
Enrollment is also up at community colleges in South and Eastcounties and, like others across the state, they're trying to meetthe rising demand while also dealing with funding reductions.
At Grossmont College, the Office Professional Training Program hastrained 2,000 students since 1985. Most graduates of the 17-weekprogram continue to find jobs in accounting, insurance oradministrative support work.
“Office support people are always going to be needed,”said Mary Leslie, the program's lead instructor.
According to state employment projections for San Diego County, theoccupations with the most openings from 2006 to 2016 include officeclerks, administrative assistants, bookkeeping, accounting andauditing clerks, accountants and auditors.
The office program, which is looking for funding, has been ablessing for Sally Langs, 56, of Coronado, who decided to return towork after her husband lost his job as a lawyer. She had been astay-at-home mom for nearly 20 years. Employers told Langs, aformer paralegal and legal secretary, that she needed to upgradeher skills.
“My experience was extensive many moons ago,” Langssaid. “I had no current job history. My computer skills wereso outdated.”
She feels at ease now, though busier than ever after starting theoffice training program in August.
“It's been such an awakening,” she said. Leonel Sanchez: (619) 542-4568; leonel.sanchez@uniontrib.com
Source: 沱沱网
Keywords:Industrial Supplies
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