(707) 708-7080 admin@ctesonomacounty.org

First Food & Beverage Manufacturing Student/Industry Symposium a Success!

by | Apr 29, 2017 | Events, News and Updates, Press, Video

Students Connect with Employees and Hiring Managers to Learn About Career Opportunities

Fifteen food and beverage manufacturers joined CTE Foundation in a first-ever event designed to introduce high school and college students to the wide variety of career paths available in the industry. From production and bottling line design, engineering, and maintenance, to food chemistry, quality control, and product delivery, over 100 participating students learned how their skills and interests could lead to fulfilling jobs right here in Sonoma County.

Straus Family Creamery, E&J Gallo, Whole Foods, Cowgirl Creamery, Petaluma Poultry, and American Ag Credit sponsored the event. Jackson Family Wines brought a mobile bottling line to demonstrate some of the complex machinery required to bring products to market, and the mechanical skills required to operate them.

Check out our video to hear what students have to say about the event and the opportunities they uncovered for themselves.

North Bay Business Journal and Press Democrat were on site to report on events, read the full article here.

Educating Students for the Real World Through Work Based Learning

by | Oct 12, 2016 | News and Updates

Educating Students for the Real World Through Work Based Learning

NBBJ Publishes Our Thoughts on Work Based Learning

A New Model for Sonoma County

The North Bay Business Journal (NBBJ) this week published our guest article! Co-written by Kathy Goodacre, CTE Foundation Executive Director, and CTE Foundation Board Liaison Stephen Jackson from SCOE, the piece presents basic principles of Sonoma County’s work-based learning initiative and the many benefits it generates for students, local industry and the community.

Success in school over past decades has been measured by standardized test scores and college entry statistics, mostly ignoring the more intangible measure of how prepared a student is to navigate the challenges of work and life upon graduation from high school or college. The ability to regurgitate memorized knowledge is certainly easier to quantify than one’s ability to

apply critical thinking and creativity to solve a real-world challenge. But our attempt to assess educational success by multiple choice test scores has led to a slew of graduates that can recite a solution to a math problem while having no idea how to generate it or to which issues to employ its use. Nor do they have any understanding for why their academic courses matter in the real world.

 

Hiring and training managers in a variety of industries repeatedly lament the ill-prepared nature of today’s entry-level job candidates. Our newest members of the workforce lack basic skills in communication, project and time management, problem-solving, and self-direction, among others.

 

Work-based learning is currently being employed in Sonoma County schools as a strategy to better prepare students for college and career and as an instructional tool in the classroom. This approach integrates career exploration, technical and soft skills training, and hands-on industry-related project work with traditional academics, ultimately creating a deeper learning experience that is highly relevant to life after school. It ensures that students are exposed to potential careers at a young age, starting in grade school, and provides a spectrum of opportunities to observe and apply classroom learning via job shadowing, internships, and industry-mentored project work.

Read the article in its entirety here.

October is Careers in Construction Month!

by | Oct 4, 2016 | News and Updates

October is Careers in Construction Month!

Industry analysts are projecting that more than 360,000 craft construction professionals will be needed in California by October 2019? That’s an astounding number of skilled trade jobs that need to be filled!

The National Center for Construction Education and Research and the State of California have identified October as Careers in Construction Month in order to build awareness around the variety of high wage, high demand craft careers available in construction.  In addition, the Sonoma County Economic Development Board has identified Construction/Green Services as one of five key

industry clusters that are important to local economic development over the next 10 years. In response to the opportunities presented by the industry and its benefits for our local communities, CTE Foundation is actively promoting Construction Technology programs in Sonoma County High Schools through its competitive grant program.In partnership with North Coast Builders Exchange and the Sonoma County Office of Education, CTE Foundation has launched a “Construction Corps” program this fall to recruit and train High School students interested in construction careers. Construction Corps offers a variety of activities, including workshops, job shadowing, on the job training, and summer Boot Camp, to facilitate career exploration and to develop a work-ready labor force for the industry. Students will be able to apply for the competitive program beginning October 13th and program work will begin in January.

To make this program a success, we need local industry partners to host job shadows for interested students. Each job shadow experience includes three or more hours spent with 2-3 student candidates who have indicated interest in applying for the Construction Corps program. Job shadows will take place in the month of October.

If you are interested in participating as a job shadow host for this inspirational program, please contact Patricia Biagi at pbiagi@ctesonomacounty.org or (707)708-7080.

Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Students Experience Hands-on Learning with SWITCH Electric Vehicle

by | Sep 29, 2016 | News and Updates, Student Stories

Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Students Experience Hands-on Learning with SWITCH Electric Vehicle

CTE Student Stories

Ron Billberry teaches the Conceptual Physics course at Archbishop Hanna High School, a residential rehabilitation program for at risk youth. Students come to the school from a variety of challenging life situations – from dealing with drug addiction and abuse to fleeing gang violence and a potential life in prison. Instructors at the school are charged with helping motivated youth graduate high school, prepare for college, and develop technical and soft skills that will help them change their lives for the better.

The CTE Foundation chose Hanna High School through a competitive grant-making process to receive one of four SWITCH Lab Kits in 2016. The Kit provides curriculum and components for building a street legal electric vehicle, thus giving students a real world application for their coursework in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Students are also exposed to concepts in Electricity, Alternative Fuels, Manufacturing, Science, Automotive Technology, and Clean Energy Generation while working through Common Core requirements.

In alignment with CTE principles, Ron believes that every student wants to be a part of something that offers real life, hands on learning, and building the SWITCH electric vehicle represents a particularly exciting opportunity in this regard. In its inaugural year, students weren’t exactly sure what to expect of the new curriculum. Ron launched the course by taking his eight students on a tour of the SWITCH EV plant where they could see the cars up close and personal. They were thrilled to learn that the SWITCH cars were real street-worthy vehicles, and when the co-founder took each of them for a test drive, their collective energy and excitement for the class was sky high.

The students represented a full range of mechanical experience – some had worked on their own cars and some had never held a wrench. After the initial

excitement wore off, many of them were pessimistic about their ability to actually build the vehicle from the ground up. “None of us knew what we were doing,” said Carlos C., a student in the class.

“When we first got the car, everything was scrambled everywhere, and no one knew what piece was what,” said Arthur L., another student. “We talked it over and decided we needed to first identify the pieces and visualize them working together, and that helped the project come together and made it easier to assemble it.”

The course wasn’t easy, and the first time they turned the key the car wouldn’t start. The students went through a troubleshooting process – an important step in teaching them how to learn from failure – and eventually the car did start. Teamwork is another important skill practiced in the class. “Organization and good communication were really important to having good teamwork,” said Carlos. His classmate Arthur added, “I wasn’t interested in electrical work at first, but there was a kid who was and we worked together in a way where I helped him with the mechanical work and he helped me with the electrical; it was good to work together.”

Ron also asked his students to think about their environmental impacts. “We had homework assignments as we built the car, looking at the differences between an electric car and a normal gasoline car to see which was better for the environment,” said Carlos, “Many argued that an electric vehicle is bad because of all the chemicals it takes to make a battery, but in the end it would not pollute at all. We compared that with having a car that runs on gas and pollutes the environment every time. I think that was really helpful to learn.”

As a testament to the kids’ enthusiasm, Ron had to practically chase the boys out of class at the end of each period, which happened to be right before lunch. For the first time ever, rather than bolting for the door before the bell, students would stay up to 10 minutes into the lunch break – they were so engaged, they didn’t want to stop.

During a celebratory ride with one of his students at the end of the school year, Ron remembers looking over to see his satisfied, happy smile. When he asked what he was smiling about, the student responded, “I can’t believe I built this car.”

Press Democrat Reports on CTE Partnership with Switch Electric Vehicles

by | Oct 22, 2015 | News and Updates

Press Democrat Reports on CTE Partnership with Switch Electric Vehicles

The Press Democrat Tours Sebastopol’s SWITCH Electric Vehicles Workshop with Local CTE Students

CTE Foundation’s partnership with Sonoma Clean Power, Switch Electric Vehicles, and the Sonoma County Office of Education, has captured the attention of The Press Democrat. In a competitive grant process, CTE Foundation recently approved the applications of four local schools who will soon offer the Switch Lab Kit as a course for its students.

The course provides materials and curriculum for students to build a street-legal electric vehicle and gain knowledge and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Students will be exposed to concepts in Electricity, Alternative Fuels, Manufacturing, Science, Automotive Technology, Clean Energy Generation, while also working through Common Core requirements.

In this article, reporter Jeremy Hay talks to the people who make the program possible.

SWITCH Electric Vehicle Program Grant Applications Now Available

by | Aug 21, 2015 | grant announcement, News and Updates

SWITCH Electric Vehicle Program Grant Applications Now Available

Clean Energy Education through STEM Learning

A partnership to meet the program and educational goals for
Sonoma Clean Power and other industry leaders interested in a clean energy future.

 

The Career Technical Education (CTE) Foundation, Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE), and Switch Electric Vehicles, together with their Presenting Sponsor Sonoma Clean Power, propose to engage educational institutions in implementing an Electric Vehicle (EV) design and manufacturing program to develop awareness, knowledge and skills among our youth around clean energy.

The Switch Electric Vehicle program is implemented through a competitive grants process administered by the CTE Foundation. School sites are invited to apply for up to 4 available Switch Lab kits and training which can be implemented in a variety of classroom programs (Auto Shop, Science, Maker Lab, Engineering/Design, Summer Camp, etc.). The Switch Lab Kit provides materials and curriculum for students to build an electric vehicle and gain knowledge and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Further, the program can be implemented in a course as one unit over six weeks, or expanded to encompass an entire semester of 18 weeks. A mandatory 5-day training is required of all instructors participating in the program.

The CTE Foundation invites Sonoma County public schools (middle school through post secondary) to attend an informational workshop on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at the Sonoma County Office of Education. RSVP to Kathy Goodacre required.

More information and the Request for Application is available on the Programs and Grants page of our website. Application deadline is September 18th.

Please contact Kathy Goodacre, Executive Director, CTE Foundation for more information at (707)537-1679 or kgoodacre@ctesonomacounty.org.

Sonoma CleanPower

Career Technical Education Foundation Program Video

by | Jul 24, 2015 | News and Updates, Video

Students Share Their Experiences with Career Technical Education Courses

The Career Technical Education (CTE) Foundation funds a variety of programs to ensure Sonoma County students are college and career ready. CTE Education provides both job specific and employability skills, such as creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication. The Foundation was created in 2012 with the express purpose to expand and enhance career technical training and work readiness for Sonoma County students, and to align education with the workforce and economic development needs of the County. To date, CTE Foundation has granted over $700,000 to Sonoma County Schools for the development and implementation of CTE programs.

This short video introduces you to some of the students participating in our CTE programs, and provides some insight into how they are benefiting from career technical education.

Career Technical Education Foundation Celebrates Three Years of Grant Making!

by | Jul 9, 2015 | Events, News and Updates

Founders, Board Members and Key Supporters Toast CTE

CTE Foundation celebrated its third year of grant making for career technical education in Sonoma County schools at an event hosted by Kosta Browne Winery and Stark Reality Restaurants. Foundation Board members, partners, and key supporters were all in attendance, as well as some students from CTE funded programs. The Foundation is proud to have granted over $700,000 to Sonoma County schools since its inception in 2012.

Photo of Lori Olson, Brian Olson, and Kathy Goodacre, Executive Director, CTE Foundation

Lori Olson, Brian Olson, and Kathy Goodacre, Executive Director, CTE Foundation

Photo of Jim Kluesener, Calpine Corporation; Brian Ling, Sonoma County Alliance; Danielle Matthews Seperas, Calpine Corporation

Jim Kluesener, Calpine Corporation; Brian Ling, Sonoma County Alliance; Danielle Matthews Seperas, Calpine Corporation

Photo of Quiana Stodder, Student; Casey Shea, Teacher; Cole Spillman, Student; and Mason Hoffman, Student of Analy High School Project Make

Quiana Stodder, Student; Casey Shea, Teacher; Cole Spillman, Student; and Mason Hoffman, Student of Analy High School Project Make

Photo of Stephen Jackson, Sonoma County Office of Education; Lisa Wittke Schaffner, The John Jordan Foundation; Dan Blake, Sonoma County Office of Education

Stephen Jackson, Sonoma County Office of Education; Lisa Wittke Schaffner, The John Jordan Foundation; Dan Blake, Sonoma County Office of Education

Photo of Michelle Zygielbaum; James Gore, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors

Michelle Zygielbaum; James Gore, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors

Photo of Seth Gallant and David Zimmerman of Stark Reality Restaurants

Seth Gallant and David Zimmerman of Stark Reality Restaurants

Photo of Todd Zwiaska and Veronica King of Bank of Marin

Todd Zwiaska and Veronica King of Bank of Marin

North Bay Business Journal Recognizes CTE Foundation

by | May 12, 2015 | News and Updates

CTE Foundation Awards $400,000 to Sonoma County Schools

Thanks to the North Bay Business Journal for their article recognizing CTE Foundation for its 2015/16 school year grant awards. In a statement to the Journal, CTE Foundation Director and State Senator Mike McGuire said, “Providing relevant training, education and career pathway options for all students is vital to student success and the economic growth of Sonoma County and the state. The CTE Foundation demonstrates how private industry and public education can work together to provide a brighter future for our students and the economy, which will help make our communities thrive in the years to come.”

The Foundation awarded 15 high schools, Santa Rosa Junior College, and the Sonoma County Office of Education with grants to support CTE programs that deliver specialized career training and exploration curricula.

$15 Million State Pathways Grant to Compliment Efforts of Local Career Technical Education (CTE) Fund

by | Jun 4, 2014 | News and Updates

Santa Rosa, California (June 4, 2014) –

The Career Technical Education (CTE) Fund of Sonoma County will serve as a key partner in the recently announced California Career Pathways Trust grant of $15 million awarded to the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE), as lead agency for the six-county alliance who will benefit from the funding.  A portion of the multi-million dollar state grant will be directed to Sonoma County schools and will help local school districts plan for and develop their career pathway programs, train and coach their teachers, equip their classrooms and provide valuable work based learning coordinators.  This development work at the district level is essential for establishing a “Model CTE Program” that meet the standards for funding from the CTE Fund.

The CTE Fund, a Committee Advised Fund of the Community Foundation Sonoma County, was founded in 2012 by private donors Tony Crabb and Barbara Grasseschi, with a mission to expand and enhance the career technical training and work readiness for Sonoma County students that align with the workforce needs of the County.  Grants from the CTE Fund are primarily at the High School level and focused on developing new CTE programs that align with Sonoma County’s five key economic development industries as identified by the Economic Development Board and include: Advanced Manufacturing (Including STEM), Construction/Green Business, Health Care, Sonoma Wine/Agriculture/Tourism, and Professional and Innovation Services.

The Fund recently announced their second year of approved grants to local high school for CTE programs totaling $213,000 for school year 2014/15.  The Fund has raised over $960,000 since 2012, in donations and pledges through year 2017 from public and private donors.  Following initial pledges from the John Jordan Foundation and the County of Sonoma totaling $505,000 over five years, donations/pledges have nearly doubled the fund’s total and include a combination of private individual, family foundation and corporate gifts.  Other top contributors to the fund include Tony Crabb/Barbara Grasseschi, the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation,

American Ag Credit, Big John’s Market, Gardenworks Inc., Hotel Healdsburg, Kaiser Permanente, Redwood Credit Union, the Soiland Family Fund and Herb/Jane Dwight.

Goals for the coming year include continuing to invest in the expansion of high-quality, new CTE programs at the high school level and developing regional training programs in such industry areas as manufacturing, health care, and construction training.  The regional training approach will provide the necessary course work at the high school level and matriculate to the JC to help fill the pipeline of trained workers for key industry segments of Sonoma County.

Over the two years of granting, a total of ten new CTE programs/courses have been added in the County through six different school districts (seven high schools) largely focused on hands-on learning programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).  In addition to the STEM programs, also funded are two programs in Agriculture/Culinary and include a first of it’s kind Farm to Table program at Healdsburg High School and a new Plant and Soil Science course at Sonoma Valley High School.  Additional programs were funded at the middle school level offering career exploration opportunities to as many as 1,950 students countywide through the Sonoma County Office of Education.

Additional donations are being sought to further enhance the Fund. “We believe it’s imperative to provide multi-year investments within the education system to support workforce development and economic stability for Sonoma County.  Through our support, the CTE Fund is helping to drive systemic change and create large impacts for schools county-wide,” says Lisa Wittke Schaffner, Executive Director, The John Jordan Foundation.

 For more information regarding the CTE Fund, the grant process and/or if you are interested in supporting the Fund, contact Kathy Goodacre, Executive Director, kgoodacre@ctesonomacounty.org or by calling (707) 537-1679.