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Burbank Adult Schools Career Technical Education Benefits Community in Many Ways
By Dr. Jan Britz
Burbank Adult School (BAS), currently in its 85th year (1928-2013), offers a broad and unique array of educational options and support services for students seeking to develop and upgrade skills in order to be competitive in todays challenging job market. These options include not only providing academic and career classes, but also customized college and career counseling services tailored to meet the needs of individual students in order to facilitate their transitions to post-secondary and/or career opportunities. BAS is a part of the Burbank Unified School District (BUSD) and focuses on the following core instructional program areas: English as a Second Language (ESL); Adult Basic Education (ABE); Adult Secondary Education (ASE); Career Technical Education (CTE); and Parenting Education. In 2011-12, BAS served 5,950 students. BASCareer and Technical Education (CTE) program, combined with the high school diploma and GED programs account for 44% of the schools total student enrollment. There are currently over 40 CTE classes offered in career elds such as: health occupations; computer courses; digital arts and web design; administrative ofce skills; arts, media and entertainment; photography; electrician apprentice; landscaping; solar photovoltaic installer; and computer networking and repair. CTE training programs offered by BAS are

Photo by Harvey Branman

Dr. Jan Britz

designed to address regional workforce skills needs by offering classes that parallel the needs of local employers and industries in the Verdugo region as identified by available labor market information (LMI). According to the U.S. Department of Labor, training for middle-skill jobs will continue to be in significant demand for the foreseeable future. These jobs typically require some form of specialized post-secondary training (e.g., industry certification, credential, certificate, etc.) but less than a college degree. Among the key advantages of the BAS program are the following: All BAS CTE courses are taught by State-certied and industry professionals

who are required to hold current teaching credentials in their respective subject areas. All courses provide intensive, short-term training and are aligned with State and industry standards for Career and Technical Education. Many of BAS CTE courses prepare students to take industry-certied licensure exams. Course fees, comparable to other educational programs in the region, are very affordable. The BAS campus offers an accessible and student-friendly learning environment. Recently, BAS received a WIA Title II Promising Practice award from the California Department of Education (CDE) and the Comprehensive Student Assessment System (CASAS), for its highly successful work in providing

college/career transition and counseling services. The project was supported with funding from a Federal Policy to Performance (P2P) grant. It is now sustained through a Federal Workforce Investment (WIA) grant and other funds. Students can receive individualized college and career counseling support and assistance with planning and monitoring transition activities. Tied to this effort, BAS has cultivated strong partnerships with local community colleges and the Citys Workforce Connection center in order to bridge needed resources for adult education students. It is the schools plan to continue to study the citys changing demographics as well as the changing educational and workforce development needs, so that appropriate and meaningful programming can continue to be created and aligned to the needs of the community.

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FEBRUARY 2013

BURBANK BUSINESS JOURNAL

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