CCCAOE

In 1967, the California Community College Association of Occupational Education was established to serve as a statewide organization to advocate and promote interest and support for administrators having responsibility for vocational programs.

In response to a changing environment and evolving styles of leadership, the membership was expanded in 1992 to include faculty, support staff, and individuals from public and private sectors with shared interests in promoting occupational education and economic development. It was at this time that the organization became known as California Community College Association for Occupational Education.

The California Community College Association of Occupational Education (CCCAOE) is a strong and active statewide organization.  Our mission is to promote the interest of and provide support for occupational education and economic development activities in California Community Colleges. The organization provides leadership for professionals involved in preparing people for the workforce to enhance California’s position within a global economy.  Our nearly 500 members include Career Technical Education Deans, Economic Development Initiative Directors, Chief Instructional Officers, faculty and business partners.

Message from the President

These are exciting times for Career Technical Education in California and nationally! There is an ongoing nationwide dialog on job creation and living wage. The community college is seen as the institution to prepare this generation of Americans for high skill, high demand and high wage careers in a global economy defined by technology and knowledge migration.

Access to “More and Better” is a central theme in federal legislation such as The Perkins V reauthorization and the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act.  At the state level, the California Career Pathways Trust grants, the SB 1070 regional pathways technical assistance program, and the Adult Education Block Grant require we align initiatives outcomes to develop career pathways that offer just in time training and access to underserved populations.  With the passing of AB 288, there has been significant increase in high school dual enrollment programs in California. Finally, the Strong Workforce Program challenges us to meet the one million middle skills shortage by 2020.

CCCAOE through its strategic plan commits to providing its members the professional development necessary to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead. We promise to convene conversations that include stakeholders in the development of systems to support Career Technical Education and Economic Workforce Development in California.  We have curated a conference that helps to identify resources necessary to meet the outcomes of the various initiatives. We know that the breakouts, plenary sessions and the many networking activities and gatherings will offer the direction, enthusiasm and inspiration to sustain the members as you do the work on your campuses, districts, regions and communities. 

Julius Sokenu, Ed.D, CCCAOE President