Header Feb 2012
In This Issue
Division Message
ASE Testing
Virtual Office Professional Program
CTE Occupational Olympics
New Computer Science Program
CTE House Calls
Quick Links
Upcoming Events

 

 Occupational Olympics
March 1, 2012

 

Computer Science Advisory Meeting

Manzanita Conf Rm

at 11:45 AM

RSVP here

 March 9, 2012

 

May 1, 2012 

 

Important
Dates

Columbia College Graduation
April 27, 2012

Columbia College
CTE Programs
 

Automotive Technology
 

Business Administration


Child Development


Computer Science


Emergency Medical Services


Entrepreneurship


Fire Technology


Forestry


Geographic Information Systems

 

Hospitality Management

 

Office Technology

 

Water Resources


Welding Technology

Other Programs

 

High Sierra Institute

 

Program Highlight Videos
 
 
 
 
 
A Message from the Division 

Welcome to our second edition of the Columbia College CTE newsletter, CTE Connects.  We had an exciting and productive second quarter.  One of the primary initiatives this year is to strengthen the relationships with our local high school career technical education programs and to bridge career pathways of study. 

   

I am pleased to report that we are working with the local high schools to develop dual credit agreements.  The goal is to have agreements in place for high school CTE students to receive college credit for courses such as automotive technology, welding, fire technology, child development, culinary, forestry, and much more. 

 

Research shows that if you connect a student to a career pathway early and provide a clear roadmap for completion, then retention and completion rates soar, transfer rates increase, and student success and engagement are achieved.  We'll continue to report on the success of our high school partnerships in future e-newsletters.

 

Thank you for your continued support of our programs.  I hope you find this edition's articles insightful and engaging.

 

Sincerely,


 

Chris Vitelli 

Dean of Career Technical Education
and Economic Development
Serving the Local Auto Industry 

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has been the standard of testing the automotive industry since the 1970's. Since then, ASE has offered certification tests only twice per year. Columbia College has long served as a testing center for ASE and has administered the tests along with hundreds of test centers internationally. This year ASE announced that they will now only administer the tests in an online format.

 

Columbia College is proud to serve as one of the regional ongoing Internet Based Testing (IBT) sites and will be proctoring ASE testing on campus for local and regional automotive professionals. Testing will be available approximately 10 months throughout year.  With few online regional testing centers, Columbia College will be the choice for technician's seeking ASE testing for many valley residents. 

 

For more information about the Automotive Program and ASE testing contact Erik Andal at [email protected] or click here.

New Virtual Office Program

The Office Technology Department is offering a new Virtual Office Professional certificate. The goal of the program is to prepare students to become entrepreneurs and/or independent contractors providing professional, administrative, creative, and technical assistance to clients in a virtual environment using advanced communication technologies.

 

The 18-unit certificate includes topics related to creating a virtual office and focuses on time management, customizing the workplace, evaluating software and hardware, and communicating effectively and efficiently with and through technology.  Courses for the new program will include Small Business Management, Creating and Managing a Virtual Office, Computer Keyboarding, Business English, Office Procedures and Technology, and Business Communications. 

 

The program is scheduled to launch in fall 2012.  For more information about the program, contact Judy Reiman at [email protected].

CTE Occupational OlympicsOccupational Olympics Welding

On Thursday, March 1st, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Columbia College, nearly 200 high schools students from Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties will compete in eleven Career Technical Education areas at the Occupational Olympics.

 

This is the twelfth year that the event has been held at Columbia College.  Participating schools include Sonora High School, Summerville High School, Calaveras High School, and Bret Harte High School. Summerville Union High School District Superintendent, Dr. John Keiter, Bret Harte Union High School District Superintendent, Michael Chimente, and Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools, Kathy Northington will join Columbia College President, Dr. Dennis Gervin in presenting the awards to the winning students in each event.

 

The event affords high school students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills as well as explore potential majors at Columbia College. Competition categories include Automotive, child development, computer business applications, cosmetology, digital photography, drafting, entrepreneurship, foods, health occupations, natural resources, and welding.  For more information click here.

New Computer Science Program Multimedia Pic 01

Columbia College is developing and launching a Multimedia Technician Certificate Program to prepare students with the skills and education necessary to advance in multimedia careers. Launching this fall, the Multimedia Technician Certificate Program will incorporate entrepreneurship courses, multimedia courses, service-learning projects, and new courses designed to expose students to a variety of multimedia tools and techniques. 

   

Labor market research shows that Tuolumne and Calaveras counties alone can expect to see a 14-16% increase in multimedia-related jobs between 2012-2020 (one of the fastest growing industries in the college's service area).  With promising careers in multimedia, Columbia College intends to prepare students to meet the needs of the industry and to compete for the jobs in this promising career field and market.

 

Students are invited to enroll in introductory multimedia courses this fall.  Columbia College is planning an "open house" for community members to learn more about this exciting new program.  More information will be sent out once a date has been determined.  Please contact Kath Christensen at [email protected] to join the multimedia revolution today! 

House Calls Anyone? 

The "just in time" support for English, math, and computers can be tailored to meet the needs of most units of study or projects within your particular course. For more information, click here and learn more about this exciting initiative.

 

Academic Wellness Educators (AWE) provides "House Calls" for Career Technical Education courses throughout the semester. House Calls are customized and contextualized lessons provided by faculty in math, English, and/or computers.  
Mission Statement
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