Workforce Development

What We Do  /  Workforce Development

Developing a diverse, well-prepared workforce for the California economy.

Our workforce development programs support the California Community Colleges to enhance work-based learning opportunities for high school and college students, improve opportunities for Californians to enter the workforce prepared for rewarding careers, and help shape our future workforce to rise to California’s future economic challenges and opportunities. 

Workforce development has been a core focus of the Foundation since inception, beginning with our Career Catalyst internship facilitation service, which launched in 1998. Our programs and services have since expanded, building on the momentum of the Student Success Initiative and the subsequent Workforce, Job Creation, and a Strong Economy Task Force, launched in 2015, which released 25 recommendations to reform and enhance current college workforce development efforts. 

The Foundation raised philanthropic support for the Workforce Task Force, making possible the extensive input from more than 1,200 stakeholders that culminated in a comprehensive plan for creating incentives, streamlining processes, and identifying and showcasing best practices. In alignment with the recommendations created by the Workforce Task Force, the Foundation is actively working to reduce the skills gap in California and grow our economy by ensuring that Californians have the skills needed to succeed in college and career.

Current Programs

California Apprenticeship Initiative

The Foundation’s workforce development department supports the creation of apprenticeship opportunities through its involvement with the California Apprenticeship Initiative (CAI), a grant opportunity offered by the CCCCO to support the creation of new apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship training programs. The Foundation provides technical assistance to 23 colleges through coaching to increase student and employer engagement and also facilitates a Community of Practice that allows workforce development stakeholders to work together and learn together. 
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Career Catalyst Employer of Record Services

Through our Career Catalyst program, the Foundation facilitates internships, jobs, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning activities at scale. We also offer a suite of human resources and payroll services for organizations who are seeking to provide paid work experience for students.
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Centralized Clinical Placement System

Centralized Clinical Placement System (CCPS) is a simple to use yet powerful technology platform focused on supporting regional capacity and placement needs to support nursing and allied health clinical placements and streamlining compliance tracking.

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Health Care Education 

Our health care education programs increase access to care by supporting the educational institutions and educators that prepare new health care professionals. The Foundation also awards nursing education grants and works with nonprofit organizations to increase the number, quality, and diversity of health care professionals.  
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LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network

Formed in 2018, the LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network partners with community colleges, high schools and universities to build a dynamic workforce development system that connects businesses, job seekers, and career-builders to apprenticeship programs.

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Workforce Services

The Foundation supports employers, high school students, college students, and educators to develop programs and systems that create and sustain a diverse, well prepared, workforce.

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Former Programs

Digital Badging and 21st Century Skills

As part of the LaunchPath software platform, the Foundation developed digital badges that were awarded during work-based learning experiences. The Foundation and the New World of Work initiative, with support from the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, had developed a set of ten 21st Century Skills badges integrated within the LaunchPath platform which are awarded based on skills identified by the New World of Work initiative, including adaptability, digital fluency, and self- awareness.


Early Care and Education Pathways to Success

Early Care and Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS) works to advance the rigorous professional development and economic well-being of the Early Care and Education (ECE) workforce so that all children can receive the full benefits of their early learning and care experiences.


Here to Career Mobile Application

The Here to Career mobile app provided families and potential students with access to information about California Community College education opportunities and raised awareness about careers that can increase earning potential and provide improved economic prosperity for the entire family. The project launched with a pilot in the Inland Empire focused on serving low- income Latino families, and expanded to regions throughout the state.


LaunchPath Work-Based Learning Management Tool

LaunchPath was an online tool that used comprehensive data systems and analytics to connect employers with students for internships and jobs, and also helped schools schedule work-based learning activities for groups of students. The matching and badging platform identified students with the right interests and experiences and simplified the process for creating beneficial work-based learning experiences. 


NSF Alliance for Innovation 

The Foundation partnered with the National Science Foundation to support hands-on research experiences for Community College students pursuing STEM education and encourage students underrepresented in STEM fields to complete their education and pursue a career.

Contact Us

Workforce DEVELOPMENT

Tim Aldinger
Executive Director of Workforce Development
T: 510.590.8882
E: taldinger@foundationccc.org 


Air Quality and Environmental

Iris Aguilar
Director of Environmental Programs and Special Projects
T: 916.325.1858
E: iaguilar@foundationccc.org


Health Care

Kathy DeGuerre
Manager of Health Care Programs
T: 916.325.1853
E: kdeguerre@foundationccc.org


media

Sarah London
Director of Communications
T: 916.498.6778
E: salondon@foundationccc.org

Foundation for California
Community Colleges

1102 Q Street, Suite 4800
Sacramento, CA 95811

Toll Free: 866.325.3222
Fax: 916.325.0844

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Supporting our Work

Help the Foundation further its mission to benefit, support, and enhance the California Community Colleges.

The Foundation for California Community Colleges is a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 68-0412350).

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Who we serve

The Foundation serves as the official foundation supporting the Board of Governors, Chancellor’s Office, and the entire California Community College system, including 116 colleges and 73 districts, serving nearly 2 million students.

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