Strong Workforce Program
More and Better Career Technical Education to Increase Social Mobility and Fuel Regional Economies with Skilled Workers
In 2016, at the recommendation of the California Community College Board of Governors, the Governor and Legislature approved the Strong Workforce Program, adding a new annual recurring investment of $248 million to spur career education (CE) in the nation’s largest workforce development system of 113 colleges.
This state economic development program is driven by “more and better” CE. The “more” is increasing the number of students enrolled in programs leading to high-demand, high-wage jobs. The “better” is improving program quality, as evidenced by more students completing or transferring programs, getting employed or improving their earnings.
The Strong Workforce Program focuses on data-driven outcomes rather than activities, along with an emphasis on innovation and risk-taking. In this way, colleges can be more responsive to labor market conditions and student outcomes.
LaunchBoard SWP Outcomes Dashboard
Current information on SWP from the CCCCO
SWP Memos
- Chancellors Page for SWP Memos
- September 2023 Expanded Use Memo
- January 2022 - Round 6 Increase in Funding and Extended Timeline
- December 2021 - Extension of Round 4 Financial Reporting
This ongoing funding is structured as a 60 percent Local Share allocation for each community college district and a 40 percent Regional Share determined by a regional consortia of colleges to focus on the state’s seven macro-economic regions.
Reporting guidance and resources
- SDCCD Strong Workforce Program Distribution Process Summary
- NOVA Reports - statewide tool; report request form
- SWP Final Report (Q4 financial report) Narrative Questions - from NOVA
- Reporting deadline reminders
- Chancellor's Guidance on reporting deadlines
- How to Close Plans - NOVA Feature
- Reporting Schedule
Regional Share Allocations & Initiatives
The San Diego and Imperial County Community College Region (Region 10) coordinates regional SWP funds through the Regional Consortium. Regional SWP funds have been leveraged to develop a regional infrastructure to support and advance local SWP efforts. This regional infrastructure is designed around the Student’s Road to Career Success https://myworkforceconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/College-Enrollment-Road-to-Success_nogreen_V2.6a_August-4.pdf and includes workgroups across six areas. Each college within the region has representation on these workgroups.
A Community College Student's Road to Success
Regional SWP funding is made available directly to the colleges through a variety of RFAs. Each college independently applies and manages these regional SWP grant funds and contracts.
Learn more about the san diego regional SWP:
- Governance structure, Student’s Road to Career Success, Membership by Workgroup
- Regional Project RFAS
- Workgroups
- Newsletters
Regional SWP Grants
The Regional Consortium provides opportunties for San Diego & Imperial Counties Community Colleges to apply for small and medium grants for specific initiatives to support regional SWP goals. View current list of regional RFA here.
- Regional SWP Grants are managed locally.
- All grants must be submitted to the board.
- Unique fund numbers for each contract are provided by District Business Services.
- Budget development is completed at the local level.
- Invoices and back up financial documentation required for reporting - must be sent to Grossmont Cuyamaca Foundation and must align with required NOVA reporting
Local Share Allocation
Local share allocation to districts includes base and incentive funding. At the San Diego Community College District, SWP base funds are received and then re-distributed by agreed upon allocation percentages. Allocation percentages are confirmed annually and determined through the District Chancellor's Cabinet. Allocations percentages are informed by assessing CTE FTES, CTE Headcount, and Perkins headcount. Incentive funding is not revised or re-allocated. Each college receives the incentive funding earned. Incentive funds are distributed directly to each SDCCD institution with no changes to funding.
The SDCCD Strong Workforce Program (SWP) grant activities are managed locally within each college. SWP topics are included on the monthly Career Education Deans meeting agendas.
Per new State requirements, district approval for project plans and fiscal reporting was added into the process fall 2021 for Rounds 5 and 6 funding.
Local SWP Grant Leads:
- City College:
- Jesse Lopez, Dean, School of Business, Information Technology and Cosmetology
- Sasha Knox, Associate Dean of Strong Workforce
- Mesa College:
- Monica Romero, Dean, Business and Technology
- Alex Berry, Associate Dean of CTE
- Miramar College:
- Claudia Estrada-Howell, Acting Dean, School of Business, Technical Careers & Workforce Initiatives
- Mona Patel, Acting Associate Dean of Strong Workforce
- College of Continuing Education:
- Andrei Lucas, Dean, Trades
- Armin Rashvand, Associate Dean, Perkins & Strong Workforce
- District Support & Coordination:
- Amertah Perman, Dean, Career Education & Workforce Development, Educational Services Division
Local SWP Reports, Presentations, and Summaries to Board of Trustees and Chancellor’s Cabinet
Round 1 (July 2016 – December 2018)
Round 2 (July 2017 – December 2019)
- Chancellor’s Cabinet Report, April 2020
- Executive Summary, July 2020
- Projects and Programs Funded, July 2020
Round 3 (July 2018 – December 2020)
Round 4 (July 2019 – December 2021)
Round 5 (July 2020 – June 2022)
- Project Plan Summary - available soon
Round 6 (July 2021 – June 2023)
- Project Plan Summary - available soon
Career Eduation Data, Reports, and Resources