Rep. Takano Sends Letter to Governor Gavin Newsom in Support of the Riverside Community College District Inland Empire Technical Trade Center
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom expressing his strong support of the $33 million line-item included in the budget deal agreed upon by the California State Senate and Assembly for the Riverside Community College District Inland Empire Technical Trade Center (IETTC). Rep. Takano also secured $1.5 million in federal funds for the IETTC as part of the FY22 federal appropriations process to further the investment in regional job training.
In the letter, Rep. Takano states, “The Inland Empire (IE) comprises Riverside and San Bernardino counties – the 10th and 12th largest counties in America by population, respectively, and among the fastest growing regions in the United States. While the IE enjoys a variety of traditional postsecondary institutions offering certificate and degree programs, there are only a handful of public technical training centers in southern California. In the IE, these centers are largely private and for-profit and are often expensive and inaccessible without students incurring significant debt to attend. These private and for-profit centers, while offering technical training in skilled trades, generally lack the necessary infrastructure, support systems and complementary academic offerings that California Community Colleges can holistically provide to the region’s most at-risk populations.”
He continues, “Given the need for local technical training capacity to support the region’s residents, current and emerging employers, and the strong commitment of the Riverside Community College District (RCCD) to build and scale pathways that offer residents the ability to move from poverty to self-sufficiency, RCCD and partners plan to establish the Inland Empire Technical Trade Center (IETTC). The IETTC is a response to the urgent need for good jobs for the region’s residents, diversification of the regional economy, and for a locally available educated and skilled workforce for the region’s current and future employers.”
And he concludes by saying, “I strongly support the FY23 funds of $33 million included in the State Senate and Assembly budget deal for the RCCD IETTC project as we build on other investments to work toward a groundbreaking timeline for 2025-2026.”
The full text of the letter is here and below:
June 15, 2022
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor, State of California
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Support for RCCD IETTC Budget Line Item
Dear Governor Newsom:
I write to support the $33 million line-item included in the budget deal agreed upon by the State Senate and Assembly for the Riverside Community College District Inland Empire Technical Trade Center (IETTC). As part of the FY22 federal appropriations process, my office was successful in garnering $1.5 million in federal funds for the IETTC and I am encouraged by this move at the state level to continue our investments in regional job training.
The Inland Empire (IE) comprises Riverside and San Bernardino counties – the 10th and 12th largest counties in America by population, respectively, and among the fastest growing regions in the United States. While the IE enjoys a variety of traditional postsecondary institutions offering certificate and degree programs, there are only a handful of public technical training centers in southern California. In the IE, these centers are largely private and for-profit and are often expensive and inaccessible without students incurring significant debt to attend. These private and for-profit centers, while offering technical training in skilled trades, generally lack the necessary infrastructure, support systems and complementary academic offerings that California Community Colleges can holistically provide to the region’s most at-risk populations.
Given the need for local technical training capacity to support the region’s residents, current and emerging employers, and the strong commitment of the Riverside Community College District (RCCD) to build and scale pathways that offer residents the ability to move from poverty to self-sufficiency, RCCD and partners plan to establish the Inland Empire Technical Trade Center (IETTC). The IETTC is a response to the urgent need for good jobs for the region’s residents, diversification of the regional economy, and for a locally available educated and skilled workforce for the region’s current and future employers.
A central component of the IETTC will be an integrated “earn and learn” model providing students with industry-based opportunities for application and development of technical skills through apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and other potential work-based learning opportunities.
I strongly support the FY23 funds of $33 million included in the State Senate and Assembly budget deal for the RCCD IETTC project as we build on other investments to work toward a groundbreaking timeline for 2025-2026.
Sincerely,
Rep. Mark Takano
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Press Contact
Lana Abbasi (202) 225-2305