The pathway to a good job in the production economy is often through quality education and training program that helps you develop the skills and abilities needed for success in the industry. Programs that endeavor to help build those skills in Ventura County include:
Ventura College’s advanced manufacturing program is training the future manufacturing workers of Ventura County. Prompted by student interest, employer demand and Ventura County’s strength as a manufacturing sector, Ventura College’s manufacturing training program offers the latest information and technology in both lecture and laboratory settings. Ventura College’s advanced manufacturing degree program offers an associate degree, certificates of achievement, pre-apprenticeships and a Journeyman Machinist program.
The advanced manufacturing program aims to prepare students to be career ready by training them on full-size, industry-worthy CNC machines, which mirror the machines used in the workplace. Students already in the industry can take classes to expand or update their skills for career advancement. Students may also choose to pursue the AS in Advanced Manufacturing to launch their career in industry or transfer to a university to obtain a bachelor’s degree in management, engineering, industrial technology, agricultural engineering or mechanical engineering. The Advanced Manufacturing program includes the Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing Lab, located in the Applied Sciences Center on campus, which was made possible through a $250,000 donation from the Gene Haas Foundation to the Ventura College Foundation in 2019.
Advanced Manufacturing, Ventura College
The Biological Sciences program at Moorpark College offers a diverse range of undergraduate biology courses. The study of Biology leads to a variety of careers upon the attainment of the baccalaureate degree. Many students then prepare for entry into graduate school or professional programs in biotechnology, dentistry, medicine, nursing, and pharmacy. A degree in Biology offers a wide range of opportunities in medicine, business, industry, government, and education.
Biological Sciences, Moorpark College
The Amgen Foundation and Harvard University have created LabXChange a curated educational science website with access to 16,000 high-quality science education resources, including personalized instruction, animated online lab experiences, and networking opportunities, across the global scientific community. VCIC is looking forward to coordinating workshops, hosted by the Amgen Foundation and Harvard University, that will familiarize Ventura County science teachers with the website and help them take advantage of this free, comprehensive resource.
LabXchange
VC STEM Network, The Ventura County STEM Network serves as a leadership hub for regional stakeholders who are working together to improve educational outcomes in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) for Ventura County students. Members of the VC STEM network partner to ensure that all Ventura County students, especially first-generation, low-income, and/or underrepresented students, have access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities.
VC STEM Network
This open-entry, open-exit program offers students the opportunity to move at their own pace. With a competency-based approach to learning, students can accelerate their path to earning certificates based on the number of hours they spend in class every week.
Classes lead to NIMS certifications that signify competency in skills in demand by employers in manufacturing. Certifications offered include:
STEMbassadors was founded in 2017 by a group of middle and high school students intent on providing opportunities in the fields of Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship, and Art. Since then, this student-led nonprofit organization has expanded to over 15 members from all across the county and has impacted over 4,200 K-12 students.
STEMbassadors continually sees to develop technologies that break down barriers to entry as well as general problems of inaccessibility to STEM equipment. One of the main focuses of STEMbassadors is providing schools with exposure to technology and integrated education by hosting annual teacher training to adapt their curriculum to STEM based learning, and introduce them to the operation of STEM technologies. In 2022, STEMbassadors created the Idea Center, a permanent location that offers marginalized youth the opportunity to bridge their education with innovation. By offering career pathways, students get the chance to partner with local businesses and community members.
STEMbassadors