College constructs new building for the CTE department

BARSTOW • Barstow Community College recently began construction on a new building that will house new administrative offices, a computer lab, and classrooms for the Career and Technical Education programs on campus.

The decision to begin construction of the modular building — which is funded through the college’s capital project fund — was made in early March by BCC’s Board of Trustees and is projected to be completed this fall.

The new building will be used for short-term classes,  contract education, and will support new and current companies with  job-training needs.

 According to Sandi Thomas, director of the CTE program, the new building will house contract programs like logistics warehouse training, Heat Ventilation and Air Condition training, and Auto Service Education. She said the rapid growth and continued growth of the workforce development program has led to the expansion.

“The CTE  has grown so much that it was necessary to add the extra space on-campus,” Thomas said. “We are offering more classes and we are giving our students employability skills to work within the area.”

Maureen Stokes, spokesperson for BCC, said the CTE program has grown above projections since it was re-organized in 2006 and for now the economy along with the need of the community is playing a big role on how the CTE is shaped.

“We are continually updating our curriculum to meet the needs of the area’s workforce and the community at-large,” Stokes said.

Thomas said CTE meets with different advisory boards to find out what their job availability is and they look for curriculum based on those needs.

Thom Armstrong, president and superintendent of BCC, said along with certificate programs and the usual classes the CTE implements, the college wants to play a bigger role in technical skill development. He said the college wants to attract new industries to the area.

“We think that what’s good for our students is good for employers,” Armstrong said. “And what’s good for our employers is good for our local economy and the community.”