San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) has secured a nearly $1.5-million state grant for the second year of a three-year collaborative effort aimed at building fluency among English language learners while expanding pathways for them to embark upon and diversify in-demand healthcare careers.

“With careful planning, collaboration, and structured program delivery, we will help transform the landscape of healthcare education for English language learners in San Diego, as well as help satisfy the demand for CNAs, optical technicians, and ophthalmic assistants,” said SDCCE President Dr. Tina M. King. “These funds display SDCCE’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism and accessibility, and our commitment to our students.”

Students are being recruited from ESL classes at SDCCE, San Diego Unified School District high schools and the San Diego Adult School for SDCCE’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program and new healthcare pathways for bilingual ophthalmic technicians and optical technicians. 

According to the Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Information, a projected 7,966 annual job openings for optical technicians, ophthalmic assistants, and nursing assistants will be available in the region through 2028. The Optical Technician training program is designed to fill a growing need for opticians in the region with a far more diverse workforce, while providing apprentices with the hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge needed to become professional opticians. 

Optical technicians in the region are earning an average annual wage of $51,500, ophthalmic assistants are earning $54,080, and nursing assistants are earning an average of $42,640.

The latest English Language Learner Healthcare Pathway Grant, amounting to $1,489,971, is provided through the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office in collaboration with the state Department of Education. It draws from the state’s Care Economy Workforce Development Package, which sets aside $130 million for health care-focused vocational pathways for English language learners through the California Adult Education Program, or CAEP. SDCCE received an initial $1-million allocation in early 2024.

The grants are funding student support, the hiring of experienced instructors, curriculum development and new training materials. In addition to vocational training, students will take part in workshops emphasizing vocational English skills in a healthcare context, with healthcare institutions providing hands-on experiences.

The initiative’s success will be measured by the number of students completing the program, earning a credential and finding a job in their field of study, in addition to average salaries of students both before and after taking part. Goals include at least 85% of students in the CNA portion of the program passing a certification exam and a significant percentage of English language learners securing gainful employment within six months of completing their program.

The collaborative effort is supported by San Diego County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority, St. Paul’s Senior Services, the California State Society for Opticians and Fredericka Manor Retirement Community in Chula Vista.

This is the third time in a little more than a year that SDCCE has received a grant of more than $1 million to significantly expand its award-winning workforce training programs. In addition to Round 1 of the English Language Learner Healthcare Pathway Grant, SDCCE in the fall of 2023 secured a $1.175 million grant from BlueForge Alliance, a Texas-based nonprofit to double the size of its award-winning welding program and expand program facilities as part of a comprehensive effort addressing a shortage of skilled welders.