News Release

All Campuses

Local defense contractors donate to College Engineering Program

October 05, 2011

Donation

Pictured (L to R) Lorna Hall, Recruiter, Jacobs Technology; Betsy Erwin, Human Resource Manager, Jacobs Technology; Shari Bishop, Vice President, NDTI; Jill Board, President, Cerro Coso Community College; and Chuck Faris, Executive VP & Sector Manager, DCS Corp.

Three local defense contractors continue to pledge their support for the Engineering Program at Cerro Coso Community College. DCS Corp., Jacobs Technology, and New Directions Technology, Inc. (NDTI), each donated $5,000 to the College's program in an effort to train and retain highly skilled engineers locally to meet the demands of regional employers.

"Donations like these are an investment in our greatest asset, our local youths," stated Jill Board, Cerro Coso Community College President. "Engineering and Science programs are expensive and we are grateful for the support of these companies. Their commitment to educating the community to meet workforce demands is an investment in the future of our community. In collaboration with Sierra Sands Unified School District and CSU Long Beach we now have a pathway to 'Grow Our Own Engineers' to meet employer needs."

Cerro Coso developed a program in Engineering in 2009 in response to the local demand for more engineers.

"There's a real need for skilled engineers," said Board. "Engineering jobs pay good money and that's good for the economy."

Five Cerro Coso Community College students were accepted into CSU Long Beach's new engineering degree completion programs in the Antelope Valley this fall. "Successful partnerships between higher education and the local community help build the education base and meet employer needs that sustain local and state economies," concluded Board.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Natalie Dorrell, Public Information (760) 384-6260