Workforce and Economic Development
The Workforce and Economic Development Division (WEDD) is guided by the California Community College's Vision 2030, and supports the District’s commitment to ensure equity, access, and opportunity through career education.
WEDD focuses on supporting students from all backgrounds and eliminating achievement gaps by:
- Using current data and research to stay informed about regional employment trends and opportunities.
- Partnering with local businesses and industry to identify skills and training that employers need, as well as high-growth, high-wage careers.
- Helping the District's colleges and continuing education school to expand and enhance proven workforce training models and support systems like Learn and Earn training programs.
Additional priorities include providing 21st century digital skills and literacy, systemizing credit for prior learning, and supporting entrepreneurial development programs.
The Workforce and Economic Development Division is committed to preparing students to thrive in a robust and evolving economic environment.
Strong Workforce Program
To develop more workforce opportunity and lift low-wage workers into living-wage jobs, California took a bold step in 2016 to create one million more middle-skill workers. 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 more than $200 million to spur career technical education (CTE) in the nation’s largest workforce development system of 114 community colleges.
More about Strong Workforce
Center for Entrepreneurship
The Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) is funded by a portion of an $8.5 million grant awarded by the state and Senator Josh Newman to the NorthSTAR OC Collaborative, a consortium of organizations that pool resources to help dedicated innovators address social and environmental issues. The Center offers resources, business basics, and applied learning opportunities for students and community members throughout the region.
More about the CFE
Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V)
Perkins V funding aims to enhance the quality and effectiveness of Career Technical Education (CTE) programs across California's community colleges, ultimately improving student outcomes and meeting regional and state workforce needs. Key aspects include: a focus on equity; an alignment with workforce needs; program improvement; and data-inform decision making.
More about Perkins V
OC Pathways K-16 Collaborative
The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) K-16 Collaborative is a regional initiative designed to enhance educational outcomes and career readiness from early childhood through higher education. The initiative involves a network of local school districts, community colleges, universities, and industry partners working together to align educational programs with workforce needs and student aspirations.
More about OC PathwaysOur Institutions
Cypress College
176 Career-Certificate Programs
56 University-Transfer Majors
73 Areas of Study
Fullerton College
110 Career-Certificate Programs
25 University-Transfer Majors
122 Areas of Study
North Orange Continuing Education
NOCE offers tuition-free career certificates in 15 different fields, including: bookkeeping, early childhood education, electrical technology, pharmacy technician, and more.
Our Partners
California Community College's Chancellor's Office
The California Community College's Chancellor's Office provides leadership, support, and resources to enhance the quality of education across 116 community colleges, focusing on student success, workforce development, and equitable access to education.
Foundation for California Community Colleges
The Foundation for California Community Colleges partners with businesses, donors, and educational institutions to provide essential resources and innovative programs that support students, enhance faculty development, and strengthen community colleges.
Orange County Department of Education
The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) is dedicated to empowering Orange County’s most vulnerable students. It supports and oversees 28 school districts, impacting over 600 schools and 450,000 students.
Orange County Business Council
OCBC focuses on boosting infrastructure investment, advancing educational development for a competitive workforce, ensuring adequate housing, and creating pro-business solutions. Its diverse membership spans industries including biomedical, construction, education, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and more.
Vital Link
Vital Link is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to shaping the future workforce through hands-on learning experiences. It offers immersive programs in robotics, engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, computer programming, digital media arts, automotive technology, and more.
Disney Aspire
Disney Aspire is a pioneering educational program that supports hourly cast members and employees with 100% upfront tuition coverage at a network of leading schools and universities. It also includes book and fee reimbursements
RevHubOC
RevHubOC specializes in providing innovative solutions for talent acquisition and employee development, aiming to enhance organizational effectiveness and drive business success.
State of CA Department of Industrial Relations - Division of Apprenticeship Standards
The California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) partners with employers to build a highly skilled workforce, creating career pathways that boost productivity and drive economic growth.