CTEOS Survey – Lisa presented an overview of the Career Technical Education Outcomes Survey, administered statewide by the Chancellor’s Office and conducted by Santa Rosa Junior College, assessing employment outcomes, field alignment, and earnings of former CTE students.
Credit Responses – Lisa highlighted that most credit CTE respondents secure employment within three months of completing their coursework, typically in fields closely aligned with their studies, though wages remain slightly below the county’s livable‑wage benchmark.
Noncredit Responses – Noncredit respondents, mostly classified as Skills Builders, also secured employment soon after coursework, often in roles in fields relating to their area of study, with wages above the county’s livable‑wage benchmark. Discussion noted that this may reflect Skills Builder students who were already employed and seeking wage advancement, though additional analysis of raw data would be needed to confirm. Debbie Lee raised questions about whether noncredit respondents were already employed while enrolled and how that may influence wage outcomes. Lisa noted that most noncredit respondents were Skills Builders and agreed further review of the dataset would help clarify employment patterns.
Disaggregated Data – Bill Roeder asked whether survey response rates and results could be disaggregated by individual CTE programs to support recruitment and program tracking. Lisa indicated that program level analysis may be possible using the raw dataset, although small sample sizes could limit reliability.
CTE Counselor Updates – Trisha Tran
Spring 2026 Career Fair – Trisha shared updates on the Spring 2026 Career Fair, scheduled for May 6 in the Sunken Gardens. The team anticipates 95 to 100 employers in attendance. Faculty were encouraged to share employer contacts or industry listservs to ensure strong representation across all CTE divisions. An open invitation was extended to those interested in assisting with career fair planning.
Preparation Workshops – To prepare students, the team is coordinating Career Fair Prep Workshops and has invited faculty to co-lead sessions focused on career development and workforce readiness. A copy of the outreach email was shared in the chat for those who may not have received it.
SCCOE Hiring Workshops – Session with the Santa Clara County Office of Education takes place on March 11 & March 16 covering applications, resumes, and interviews. Representatives will also hold Career Center lab hours to assist students with submitting applications. An updated flyer and RSVP link will be posted on SharePoint and the website.
Randy reminded attendees that the Career Center, located in the Seminar Building, is open and available to support students. He also shared that the division is in the process of hiring an Internship Coordinator, with an anticipated timeline of approximately 30 days.
Dual, CTE & Noncredit Program Updates – Tiffany Rodriguez-Tran
CCAP class with PAUSD & FUHSD – Tiffany confirmed that the 2026–2027 CCAP class requests have been either finalized or are in progress with both the Palo Alto Unified School District and the Fremont Union High School District. She continues coordinating with departments to assess feasibility and welcomes additional collaboration requests for CCAP partnerships.
Adult School Summer Course – Tiffany also shared that development is underway for the annual summer counseling course reserved for Adult School students, in coordination with consortium partners.
Trifolds for CTE Programs – The Office of Communications is actively developing tri-fold brochures for all CTE programs. Nursing, Mandarin Translation and Interpretation, Business, and Project Management are currently in final stages. Departments that have not yet been contacted will be scheduled soon.
Outreach Events – Tiffany highlighted upcoming district-wide CTE events at East Side Union High School (Sat, March 14, 8 a–1 p) and Campbell Union High School (Thurs, April 9, 6–8 p). Faculty interested in tabling should contact Tiffany to RSVP. Randy acknowledged Tiffany’s outreach efforts and encouraged more faculty participation, as well as sharing ideas to expand Dual Enrollment partnerships with high schools and adult schools.
Budget Updates – Katrina Tran
Strong Workforce Program Round 9 Local – Approximately $390,000 has been expended, with additional funds encumbered and a remaining balance available. With the fiscal year ending June 30, departments are strongly encouraged to submit purchase requests as soon as possible. March 13 is the internal deadline to ensure timely processing. Funds not committed by that date may be re-allocated to other CTE programs to avoid forfeiture.
Round 9 Regional Funds – Reviewed primarily supporting personnel and infrastructure for CTE operations, with Perkins 2025–2026 balances exceeding $400,000 across expenditures and encumbrances.
Perkins – Perkins purchases must directly support special populations, student skill attainment, program improvement, and workforce transition outcomes. Examples of allowable uses include lab modernization, industry aligned professional development, equipment, and embedded tutoring suport.
Deadlines & Reporting – District purchasing deadlines and submission timelines by purchase threshold were reviewed. All requisitions must include official vendor quotes and required documentation. Randy emphasized that expenditures must be fully documented and aligned in NOVA, with every dollar tied to an approved project narrative. Funds not encumbered or spent on time may be reallocated to maintain compliance.
Purchase Requests – Katrina also introduced the development of a standardized request form for Strong Workforce Round 10 and the Perkins 2026–2027 cycle. The form is intended to centralize documentation, align requests directly with NOVA narratives, and streamline reporting requirements. Faculty and deans will be invited to review a prototype and provide feedback prior to final implementation.
CLNA - The Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment will be held Wednesday, April 15. This biennial process informs the Perkins 2026–2027 application and guides funding priorities for equipment, staffing, and program expansion. It evaluates student completion, employment outcomes, workforce alignment, and industry validation. Departments will be contacted to confirm advisory board rosters, as employer input is required for compliance and planning.
Administrative Procedures – Brittany Rubio
Career Center Website – The Career Center website is live. Faculty and staff are encouraged to share it with students and employers. It features upcoming events, including the Spring Career Fair, and guidance for posting on-campus and off-campus jobs via Handshake. Joseph Lipsig noted he has already shared the updated site with an employer and found the process much clearer and more streamlined.
Purchasing Procedures – Faculty were reminded that official vendor quotes are required for processing grant purchases. Quotes must include a formal quote number, complete vendor contact information and be obtained directly from the vendor. Screenshots, cart printouts, and website links are not sufficient. A W-9 is required for new vendors. Brittany is processing submitted requisitions and aims to follow up with all departments by the end of the week to ensure funds are properly encumbered.
Delivery Procedures – Purchases must be delivered to campus via the warehouse. Faculty and staff should coordinate with their Chair, Division Dean, and senior administrative assistant to ensure someone is available to receive deliveries. The CTE office can assist with temporary holding of items if notified in advance but cannot serve as a long-term storage location. Clear communication between the Warehouse, faculty/staff and Brittany is essential to avoid delays.
Closing Remarks – Randy Bryant
Computer Science AI Courses – Mary Pape shared that the Computer Science and Information Systems Department plans to offer seven artificial intelligence courses, with three anticipated to launch in Fall 2026. Communications may support promotion, including potential Instagram posts.
Communications & External Relations – Elizabeth Smith, the new Associate Vice President for Communications and External Relations, introduced herself and shared that CTE trifolds, videos, and other promotional materials are progressing. She is in learning mode and welcomes conversations with departments to better support recruitment and program visibility.
Photo Dept Video – Chia Wen inquired about the status of the Photography Promotional video. Elizabeth Smith confirmed the video has been reviewed and is currently in the editing process. Minor delays are due to staffing availability, but it is expected to be completed soon.
Film & TV LED Wall Installation – Milena Grozeva and Kristen Skager provided an update on the LED wall installation in the ATC Film and Television soundstage, located on the lower level adjacent to the green screen. The installation will include a 3D tracker to support contemporary production workflows and enhance student training. Milena expressed appreciation to Kristen, Randy, and the CTE team for their support in bringing the project forward.
Auto Tech Tool Room – The department reported completion of its upgraded tool room, including new cabinets. The space was reorganized, and unused tools and equipment were sorted to better align with current student needs.
Randy closed the meeting by thanking faculty and staff for their continued hard work, dedication, and collaboration in support of students and CTE program growth.
CTE Committee Meeting adjourned at 1:51PM by Randy. Minutes taken by Brittany Rubio.