SBCC Continuing Education Vocational Certificate Programs

Cesar Trujillo completed the Green Gardener Vocational Certificate Program sponsored by Santa Barbara City College’s Continuing Education Division in July. A second-generation landscape gardener and licensed contractor, Mr. Trujillo currently runs his own business Encino Landscapes. He has found the Green Gardner curriculum particularly helpful in his work. “Everything in our gardens — including the dirt we plant in and even the weeds we pull — is living matter, and everything can be recycled or composted.”

Developed to meet workforce demand, two of the three programs train participants in medically related fields while the third focuses on environmental sustainability.

“One of the core missions of Santa Barbara City College is to develop programs that support economic development,” said SBCC Vice President of Continuing Education Dr. Ofelia Arellano. “Graduates of these short-term vocational certificate programs are now qualified to enter the workforce and fill vitally needed positions.”

Medical

Launched in April, 2010, the Medical Assistant Training Program held its second graduation on June 21 with 28 students receiving Certificates of Completion. Through the program’s 127 hours of Administrative (Front Office) and Clinical (Back Office) instruction, and a 160-hour internship, the graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment in medical offices and clinics. The program has been made possible with grant funding awarded through the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Economic Stimulus Program) Phase II Funds for Allied Health Programs.

Twenty students graduated from the Personal Care Attendant Program on June 23. The 10-week program prepares participants to seek entry-level employment assisting patients with non-medically directed personal care and home management activities. The first of the two course focus on basic care of the client while the second covers dementia and end-of-life care. The Association of Health Care Providers established the Helping Hands Emergency Fund for PCA students with emergency needs during the course.

Environmental Sustainability

As part of the regional Green Gardener Program for Santa Barbara County, 24 students earned Green Gardener Certificates of Completion on July 18. The program educates local gardeners in resource efficient and pollution prevention landscape maintenance practices. The Green Gardener Program is a regional program designed to offer education, training, and promotion of participating gardeners and landscape maintenance contractors.

For more information about SBCC Continuing Education programs, go to: http://www.sbcc.edu/ce/