First-of-its-Kind Apprenticeship Readiness Program Launches in North County
Vista Unified School District, San Diego Workforce Partnership, and the San Diego Building Trades Council Partner to Meet Employment Demands
The new Career Technical Education building at Rancho Buena Vista High School will host Pre-Apprenticeship training
In response to the growing demand for skilled trades workers and an effort to provide future-looking opportunities to its students and community, the Vista Unified School District is launching a Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) Apprenticeship Readiness Program.
The innovative initiative, developed in collaboration with the San Diego Workforce Partnership and the San Diego Trades Council, represents the first of its kind for the North County region. The program aims to provide accessible pathways to well-paying careers in the building and construction trades for North County residents aged 18 and older at no cost to the participant.
The program, approved by the California Workforce Development Board, offers training in a variety of trades, including HVAC, electrical work, roofing, ironwork, plumbing, and cement masonry. The program will assist students in gaining industry certifications in up to seven categories including CPR/First Aid, OSHA 30, MEWP (Mobile Elevated Worker Platform), AutoCAD, and the MC3 Certification, better preparing them for union apprenticeship programs.
“It is so exciting to be the first school district in North County to provide an important pathway for Vista Unified students and community members to join the expanding construction trade industry with free training and job placement,” said Dr. Matthew Doyle, Superintendent of Vista Unified School District.
“We're excited to collaborate with Vista Unified School District and the San Diego Building & Construction Trades Council in crafting this innovative partnership, offering a transformative learning experience for North County residents aged 18 and above. Through this program, individuals will gain valuable on-the-job skills and unlock their full potential," said Tony Young, interim President and CEO of the San Diego Workforce Partnership. "This unique initiative reflects our collective dedication to empowering individuals with sought-after skills training, enabling them to obtain fulfilling careers, paving the way for a brighter future in the region."
Training For In-Demand Jobs
According to the San Diego Workforce Partnership, there are 148,992 people employed in the Energy, Construction, & Utilities Sector in San Diego County. The forecast for growth estimates a 10% sector growth in San Diego County over the next five years.
Graduates of the program can apply for apprenticeships after completing required exams and interviews, having been prepared and equipped for the process. Pre-apprentices will be connected to industry and employers to find gainful employment during the program.
"The pathway into a high road career in the union construction trades can be something of a mystery," said Jon Gosen, Apprenticeship Readiness Program Lead for the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council. "We’re here to demystify that process and excited to bring this no-cost, apprenticeship readiness program to North County residents, and set them on track for a life-changing opportunity in the trades."
The multi-week MC3 Apprenticeship Readiness Program training site will be hosted at the recently unveiled CTE Building at Rancho Buena Vista High School (RBVHS). The building houses a Welding and Metal Fabrication shop and a Construction and Building lab; both spaces are outfitted with the latest equipment and materials to better prepare students for the marketplace.
Classroom theory and lecture classes will be offered at the Vista Adult School campus, which serves over 1,200 students with programs that develop new skills and training to assist students in starting or progressing in their careers. Students will attend training two evenings a week and on Saturday.
Although new for Vista, SDWP, SDBCTC, and its partners operate successful MC3 Apprenticeship Readiness Programs with the San Diego College of Continuing Education and Southwestern College.
“The collaboration between Vista Unified, the San Diego Workforce Partnership, and the San Diego Building Trades Council is a perfect fit for North County, the demand is there for a skilled labor force and we have students who are ready and eager to learn as well as industry equipped instructional sites,” said Martha Alvarado, Board President of the Vista Unified School District, who advocated for the apprenticeship readiness initiative alongside Superintendent Dr. Doyle.
Apprenticeships are growing in popularity. In 2020, more than 221,000 individuals nationwide entered the apprenticeship system, according to the US Department of Labor. Nationwide, there were over 636,000 apprentices obtaining the skills they needed to succeed while earning the wages they needed to build financial security. The Average Starting Salary after an apprentice completes an apprenticeship program is $80K, according to the US Department of Labor.
The initial cohort will launch in July. Applications are currently open, to apply and learn more about the program visit San Diego Workforce Partnership website at workforce.org/apprenticeship-readiness/
First Cohort to Launch in July
The initial cohort for the program will begin in July and conclude in October along the following schedule:
Orientation: July 9
Timeline: July 11 - October 29
Classes Occur: Tuesday & Thursday, 5-9 pm; Saturday 8 am - 4:30 pm
About Vista Unified School District
The Vista School District is a public school district in North County San Diego. Its 29 schools schools serve nearly 18,000 K-12 students in the cities of Vista and Oceanside, as well as surrounding communities. The district also provides pre-K and Transitional Kindergarten instruction as well as adult education. Its schools provide robust learning pathways that continue throughout students’ K-12 education and beyond. The District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education.