Seventy-seven Graduates from SBCC Vocational Certificate Programs

Continuing Education Vocational Certificate Programs Train Qualified Employees For High-Demand Jobs

A total of 77 students graduated from four short-term vocational certificate programs offered by Santa Barbara City College’s Continuing Education Division in fall 2010. Developed to meet workforce demand, three of the four programs train participants in medically related fields while the fourth focuses on environmental sustainability.

The first graduating class of Santa Barbara City College Continuing Education’s Medical Assistant Training Program received Certificates of Completion on November 30. Pictured with the students are: (from far left) Maria Lopez-Manzo, Student Program Advisor; Jack Bailey, Program Director Continuing Education; and Linette Brammer, Medical Assistant Training Program Instructor. Also at the ceremony were (from far right) Bonita Schaffner, Dean Continuing Education; and Dr. Ofelia Arellano, Vice President Continuing Education.

“One of the core components of the mission of Santa Barbara City College is to develop programs that promote and support workforce training and economic development,” said SBCC Superintendent/President Dr. Andreea Serban. “Graduates of these short-term vocational certificate programs are now qualified to enter the workforce and fill needed positions that benefit our community.”

Medical: Launched in April 2010, the Medical Assistant Training Program held its first graduation on November 30, 2010 with 30 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.

Thirteen students graduated from the Personal Care Attendant Program on November 22, 2010. 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 personal care attendant students with emergency needs during the course.

Students in the Health Care Interpreter Training Program were presented with Certificates of Completion on December 8, 2010. Sixteen graduates successfully completed 220 hours of Spanish/English interpreting skills instruction, focused on providing bilingual medical and culturally-sensitive communication between patients and providers that may be necessary in a variety of medical settings. The program was developed with grant funding from The California Endowment.

Environmental Sustainability: Training for medical careers is not the only short-term vocational certificate option offered by SBCC Continuing Education. As part of the Green Gardener Program for Santa Barbara County, 23 students earned Green Gardener Certificates of Completion on December 8, 2010. 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, is available online.