Applied Trades & Technology Complex Update
| |
Connecting Students with Jobs! | |
|
The 2nd Annual AG & Trades Job Fair on Tuesday, March 19 was a GIANT success! At this event, employers were able to connect, recruit, and/or hire qualified candidates from our various AG & Trades programs. Students and instructors left excited from the meaningful conversations and connections they were able to make. Employers left with stacks of resumes and potential candidates to fill their full-time, part-time, or internship opportunities. Our favorite partner quote of the day was "I've been going to these events for over 30+ years and this is the best hiring event I've ever been to!"
- 238 students
- 100+ industry partners from 58 companies
- 60+ COS staff, faculty, and administrators
| |
Working to Meet the Nursing Shortage | | |
|
|
COS is committed to meeting the demand of the workforce and creating local nurses is a necessity. A pilot program being held in partnership with the Tulare Joint Union High School District, funded by the Central San Joaquin Valley K16 Partnership, has begun. Forty-nine high school seniors have amplified their journey to becoming a nurse.
Students in the Pre-Nursing Prep Program are learning what is necessary to get into the nursing program, acquiring skills related to nursing, hearing from nursing faculty and students, being taught by COS faculty, and will engage in work-based learning. The students are receiving personalized counseling to help them achieve their goals.
| |
Senator Hurtado Introduces Bill To Deter The Outsourcing Of Investments In Nursing Education From Students Outside The Region To Those Within The Region | |
|
Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) recently introduced legislation to broaden the admission criteria for registered nursing programs in community college districts by allowing districts that have opted for multi-criteria screening measures to evaluate candidates for admission to include individuals from Medically Underserved Areas. The bill, Senate 1183, takes a significant step towards ensuring that nursing programs are more inclusive, addressing regional healthcare disparities, and cultivating a healthcare workforce that is better equipped to serve diverse and underserved communities.
“The Central Valley grapples with healthcare disparities, such as the burden of longer travel distances for access. We possess the local talent, eager to address our region’s needs, but must equip them with resources and support,” said Senator Melissa Hurtado. “This bill aims to empower our Valley’s students, investing in their potential to bridge this gap.”
"College of the Sequoias (COS) faces a critical challenge in meeting the local demand for nurses as the majority of RN program applicants come from outside the Central Valley. The local hospitals are frustrated by continuing to invest in out-of-area students who leave post-graduation and seek the ability to prioritize clinical placements for candidates committed to staying,” said Jennifer La Serna, Vice President of Instruction at College of the Sequoias. As COS expands its nursing program in collaboration with the hospitals, exceptions must be made in the legislation to allow priority for students from the local area. The college aims to balance regional needs while navigating legal constraints, ensuring a steadfast commitment to addressing the Central Valley's healthcare workforce demands."
| |
Connecting COS Students to Industry & Jobs | |
Lithia Nissan Visits Auto Program | |
The COS Automotive program had the pleasure of hearing from Lithia Nissan of Fresno on Monday, February 26. The Lithia Nissan employees shared their backgrounds, upcoming opportunities, and how to stand out as candidates! | |
Welding Students Tour Green Box Rentals
COS Welding students were invited to attend d a recent American Welding Society meeting. The meeting was held at Green Box Rentals and attendees were able to learn about the company, tour its facility, hear about job opportunities, and understand related skills needed to become a metal fabricator.
| |
|
HVAC Tour at Kaweah Health | |
The COS HVAC program had the opportunity to tour the Kaweah Health facilities on Thursday, March 14th. Industry tours allow students to see how what they learn is applicable in the workforce. | |
City of Visalia Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour | |
The COS Hanford Industrial Maintenance cohort was able to tour the City of Visalia's Wasterwater treatment plant. The tour provided our students with invaluable insights into the practical application of maintenance techniques and procedures within a professional setting. | |
Preparing Students for the Workforce | |
On Friday, March 8th, COS Career Services hosted ProCon, a student professional conference for COS students who were nominated by various student services departments and instructors. This event was hosted at Fresno Pacific University, Visalia Campus. Attendees had the opportunity to receive a professional headshot and padfolio after which they attended breakout sessions including Work-Life Balance, Alumni Panel, How to Land Your Dream Job, Leading with Passion, and the Importance of Building a Professional Network. The day ended with keynote speaker, COS Board of Trustees President Raymond Macareno who delivered a powerful message about getting involved in your community as a leader and volunteer. Around 45 students participated. | |
Charlie Abee Recognized for Excellence | |
|
To celebrate Career Technical Education (CTE) month in February, the Tulare Kings College and Career Collaborative (TKCCC) recognized outstanding career technical education instructors in Tulare and Kings counties. The award recognizes hard work, creativity, and unwavering commitment to excellence in career and technical education.
Our very own Mr. Charlie Abee was recognized for his collaborative work in Agricultural Irrigation and Mechanized Agriculture. Mr. Abee understands the importance of pathway development, work-based learning, and outreach to the youth. He regularly hosts FFA competitions, College & Career Expo competitions, Jump Start internship workshops, as well as community-based workshops.
| |
|
Connecting High School CTE with COS CTE | | |
|
|
Connecting with High Schools
The COS CTE Team welcomed high school Construction Pathway teachers, administrators, and staff onto the COS Campus March 21. Dual enrollment, upcoming programs, pathway alignment, and a tour of the new Applied Trades & Technology Building were all on the agenda. Working to make the transition from high school to college is a priority in CTE and our staff is always happy to meet with high school staff to discuss ways to make the journey the best possible for students. Email darcyp@cos.edu to schedule a meeting.
| |
Concurrent Enrollment Options | |
|
|
Fire Captain Got Her Start at COS in Hanford
When Andrea Nakamura’s dreams of playing Division 1 college softball were dashed by a soccer injury, she had to rethink her life plan. The graduate of Redwood High School in Visalia took a gap year working in retail to earn money to pay for college. “My cousin told me about Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) careers and working for a fire department sounded really cool,” said Nakamura. “I was very physically active and thought that would be an asset. I felt I’d fit in with co-workers in the traditionally male-dominated field because I grew up closer to men and had plenty of experience getting along with them.”
Nakamura enrolled at College of the Sequoias, taking FIRE 159 - Introduction to Fire Protection Organizations at the Hanford campus and completing the EMT prerequisites to apply to the COS Fire Academy. Along the way, she encountered naysayers. “People asked, ‘Are you sure you want to be a fire fighter and do you know how tough it is?’” said Nakamura.
Not only did Nakamura prove them wrong, she thrived in the COS Fire program. And in the ten years since graduating, she’s been on a career fast track, works as a captain for the North Central Fire Protection District and has come full circle to become an instructor for the COS Fire Academy. “The instructors in the COS Fire Academy want you to succeed,” said Nakamura. “I am where I am today in my career because of the faculty mentors and the really great support the COS Fire Program offered.”
Rick Smith, Fire Technology Coordinator, COS, and retired Assistant Fire Chief, King County Fire Department, indicated that Nakamura made an impression from the start. "Andrea had enthusiasm and the determination to accomplish what she set out to do," said Smith. "She was always first to volunteer to try something, picked up skills quickly and was a terrific team player helping other students to succeed."
| | | |
|
Discovering His Compassion for Patients Guided Student to Nursing Career
For a student who came to the United States at age 17, didn’t speak English and was working as a farmworker, College of the Sequoias (COS) provided the education and resources that led Manuel Acuna to be the first in his family to graduate from college and launch a rewarding career in nursing. “If you know what you want, COS has all the programs to help you be successful,” said Acuna, who earned Associate of Science in Registered Nursing from COS, is working as a nurse at the Kaweah Health hospital in Visalia and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at California State University (CSU), Fresno.
Success did not come easy to Acuna who first had to learn English and earn the General Education Diploma (GED) before attending college. “While working on farms, I went to adult school to learn English as a Second Language (ESL),” said Acuna. “Becoming more fluent in English opened new doors to construction jobs.”
After several years of working and studying, Acuna came to COS to continue his ESL classes. “When a construction job ended, I heard about the two-semester electrician program at COS,” said Acuna. “I was nearly done with the electrician program when I met a lot of nursing students in a chemistry class who encouraged me to check out the COS nursing program.”
| |
| |
|
|
Be Open to Opportunity, Recommends Firefighter Turned Automation Technician
Growing up in Dinuba, David Corpus dreamed of being a firefighter and sampled several different careers before discovering Industrial Maintenance at College of the Sequoias (COS). “I’ve done a lot of labor jobs, starting with working in the fields with my family at age 14,” said Corpus. “School was not really for me but I knew education would lead to making a good living. The COS Industrial Maintenance Technology program helped me find a great job in automated manufacturing with the best co-workers, constantly changing technology and interesting work that supports my family and allows us to enjoy overseas vacations.”
The surprising thing about Corpus choosing Industrial Maintenance is that he didn’t have an early interest in car repair, robotics teams or using hand tools. “I’d never thought about a career in automation,” said Corpus. “At COS, we were introduced to everything we needed to get started in a manufacturing or equipment maintenance career in the one-year program. With help from the COS Career Technical Education (CTE) Career Services, I was introduced to employers and found a fantastic job in industrial automation that I’ve had for several years.”
| |
|
VEDC Scholarship Opportunity
In partnership with the College of the Sequoias (COS) Training Resource Center, the Visalia Economic Development Corporation (VEDC) is offering companies, organizations, and individuals the opportunity to take trainings or classes with the COS Training Resource Center via a full or partial scholarship. This is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to upskill themselves in their careers and industry without having to be concerned with the costs of training.
Completed applications are reviewed upon submission and must be turned in to the VEDC Executive Director, Bruce Nicotero: ban1951@comcast.net for consideration.
To fill-out/download the scholarship application, please visit the COS Training Resource Center’s website: cos.edu/trainingcenter
| |
Exploration & Job Search
Tools High School Students Can Use!
| |
|
Career Coach
Career Assessments
- Short 6-question version and extended 60-question version
- Browse COS academic programs based on your assessment results
- Browse careers that are compatible with your skill set
Résumé Builder
- Create your résumé by entering keywords related to your tasks/duties
| |
|
Big Interview
Mock Interviews
- AI feature that allows students to interact with an AI interviewer
- Record feature (students can watch themselves back and analyze areas of improvement)
Interview Curriculum
- Negotiation
- Job Search
- First 90 Days
Create a Resume
Interview Roulette
- Practice interviewing with 20 questions thrown randomly at the participant
| |
Virtual Career Center - New for COS Students! | |
|
Take Interests and Values Assessments
- Gain a deeper understanding of yourself and let VCC narrow your career choices based on your assessment results
Explore Careers, Colleges, Scholarships, Jobs, Federal Work Study & More!
Create a Résumé
- Automatically generate a resume from your personal profile with Resume Builder
Discover Jobs for You
- Use Quick Search and sort results
| |
Virtual Career Center representatives visited the three COS campuses to promote the new program available to students. | |
|
Produced by College of the Sequoias CTE Team
Jonna Schengel, Dean of CTE & Workforce Development, jonnas@cos.edu
Chelsea Cushing, Director of CTE, Special Projects & Grants, chelseac@cos.edu
Darcy Phillips, CTE High School Liaison, darcyp@cos.edu
College of the Sequoias' Career Technical Education (CTE) provides students the opportunity to complete certificates and associate degrees and move into the workforce, or transfer to a four-year institution to continue their education.
| |
COS Career Technical Education | COS.EDU/CTE | |
| | | |
