Leading the nation as the largest agricultural producer and exporter, California agriculture is not only a $36 billion dollar industry - it's an economic powerhouse employing close to 2.5 million people, and generating an economic impact of $300 billion annually. Modern agriculture encompasses much more than farms and ranches; agricultural science touches every aspect of American society - from the individual consumer's health and safety to the nation's welfare, security and environmental sustainability. Increasingly, agricultural research is fueling innovation in many parts of the economy not generally associated with agriculture, such as energy, electronics, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.

Agriculture Value Chain for California, an environmental scan recently released by the Centers of Excellence (COE), examines the impact of agriculture across the state, providing a unique perspective of four industry clusters: support, production, processing and packaging, and distribution; while also profiling key factors such as agriculture's economic impact, employment, outlook, workforce challenges and relationship with community colleges. Some of the report's findings include: 

• The outlook for employment across the agriculture value chain is healthy - employment estimates for the combined sectors anticipate as many as 180,000 new jobs by 2016.
• Farm, ranch and other agricultural manager jobs are estimated to increase more than 10 percent in the next five years, growth of close to 4,000 positions.
• Agriculture employers indicate a high level of importance for managers and supervisors understanding and applying local and state requirements, regulations, and incentives across all four value chain clusters (97% importance).
• Employers also indicate a level of importance for employees' understanding of agricultural products and services (59% importance).

When hiring for agricultural positions, employers placed emphasis on the need for specialized certifications; a requirement of hands-on experience whether from past jobs or internships; and the need for technical writing skills. Many employers indicated that they have difficulty with hiring employees that have adequate technical writing skills, diesel mechanic certifications, and skills needed for specialized positions.

California Community Colleges are well positioned to address these skills gaps through customized training programs as well as through some existing curriculum offerings. The full study contains recommendations for the colleges to engage employers via partnerships and contract education.

To view the current study, please visit www.coeccc.net. Colleges, industry partners, foundations, or workforce organizations that have inquiries or partnership interest in customized labor market research studies should contact Elaine Gaertner, COE statewide director, at elaineg@cccewd.net, or (408) 288-8611.

According to the California Employment Development Department, 75 percent of the 50 fastest growing occupations in the state require STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills, which form the basis for decision making and engagement in our knowledge-based economy. A 2005 study by the National Center for Education Statistics shows that California is lagging behind the nation in mathematics and science proficiency, and highlighted the necessity of teaching STEM skills at all levels from primary to post-secondary.

The Environment, Health, Safety, and Homeland Security (ETC) initiative recognizes the need for strong STEM skills among jobs in both the environmental health and safety and the emerging renewable energy/green jobs field. Students take pre-requisite courses in biology, algebra, and basic chemistry prior to entering the Basic Hazmat Technician program. Additionally, the Green Technology program requirements emphasize STEM coursework in the areas of basic physics, engineering and mathematics.

"Students with proficient or higher scores in mathematics and the sciences at the secondary level possess the basic skills needed to succeed in any number of ETC certificate programs," said Statewide ETC Director Richard Della Valle. "From DOT CFR 49 (Transportation of Hazardous Materials) qualification to Building Performance Institute (BPI) certifications, STEM skills are woven throughout the fabric of the courses and certificate programs."

For more information about EWD's Environmental Training Centers and its programs, visit www.envtraining.org, or contact Richard Della Valle at (925) 672-2209, or rdellavalle@cccewd.net.

The California economy, with a GDP of nearly 1.9 trillion in 2010, ranks as the 9th largest in the world, according to the State's Department of Finance. California leads the nation in venture capital investments, and boasts a logistics infrastructure of 18 foreign trade zones, 39 enterprise zones, 15,000 miles of freeway, 11 cargo seaports, and 12 cargo airports.  It is uniquely poised to lead in innovations and international trade transactions.  However, start-up businesses and small to medium sized companies often struggle with entry into the international arena, and have difficulty identifying affordable expertise to assist with foreign trade opportunities.

"In order for businesses to meet the challenges of the global marketplace, they must understand legal issues, be aware of issues in transportation and logistics, know how to conduct market research to determine if there is a demand for the company's products," said Brooks Ohlson, Director of the Northern California and Sacramento Regional Center for International Trade Development.  "California businesses need a 'globally prepared workforce'  which means that workers need skills beyond those learned from traditional classrooms and curriculum."

The Centers for International Development (CITD) provide significant resources to educate California companies in all aspects of importing and exporting and prepare them to compete globally.  However, in order to engage effectively in overseas transactions, employers need  access to a workforce that is globally aware and who possess the job skills to help their businesses transition into the international marketplace. 

CITD offers both introductory coursework in importing and exporting, as well as advanced classes in trade finance, logistics, market development, and web-based marketing programs.  These unique programs enable existing workers, managers and business owners to learn new skills and tools that impact the bottom line by enabling them to identify new revenue sources and avenues for growth.  "Our goal is to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses in value-added employee training, and also to help guide the entrepreneur to sustainability and success," said Ohlson.

For information on CITD resources and programs, visit www.citd.org or contact Statewide Director Jeff Williamson at (951) 571-6458, jeff.williamson@rccd.edu.

Advances in computer-controlled manufacturing processes have left manufacturing workers struggling to keep pace with changes in electronics, pneumatics, and other automated production functions. Telefunken Semiconductors International, LLC, in Roseville, CA, produces integrated circuits for the automotive industry. Employees at the company needed to learn advanced manufacturing skills and receive training on new equipment, in order to meet company standards and further their chances for promotion along career paths. Through the CACT @ Sierra College, the company contracted for 22 employees to receive Mechatronics training.

According to Telefunken's Director of Manufacturing, Matthew Nadeau, the Sierra College Mechatronics program-a study of mechanics, electronics, pneumatics and hydraulics under computer control-offers a pathway to advancement. "A certificate or AA/AS degree in Mechatronics or Electronics provides our production technicians with knowledge and skills that are needed in order to be considered for promotion to the next level," said Nadeau.

The Sierra College Mechatronics program is one of only a few in the nation and highly regarded for its rigor and applied learning labs, using over $1 million in industrial quality equipment, explained Mechatronics Department Chair Tony Osladil. "Mechatronics graduates have been scooped up by local employers such as Anheuser Busch, Ceronix, City of Roseville, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Michrom Bioresources, Nestle Water Bottling, Schilling Robotics, Sierra Pacific Industry, Vannelli Foods and many others," said Osladil. "For students, the Mechatronics skills can be used in a variety of industries and work environments to design, maintain and repair automated equipment; these are well paid jobs that are here to stay."

According to Nadeau, the popularity of the Mechatronics program led Telefunken to contract with Sierra College to offer the class for Telefunken employees. "The employees who have taken this class have shown an increased level of interest in their daily tasks," said Nadeau. "They now have a better understanding of 'what's behind' the systems and components. Technicians are also motivated by getting closer to meeting the requirements for promotion to the next level within our company."

For more information about the CACT @ Sierra College, go to go to www.sierracollegetraining.com. For more information on EWD's Centers for Applied at (310) 973-3165 or janaya@cccewd.net.