The Learning Centers at Fairplex’s (TLC) career education program received a major boost this month with more than $1.9 million in state funding thanks to Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-53).
Rodriguez secured $1.924 million in the fiscal year 2024 state budget to fund TLC’s Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC). This will support CTEC classroom and facility improvements as the program prepares students for career readiness, align coursework with rigorous academic standards, current workforce trends and contextual learning to help students connect their education to relevant career opportunities and life goals.
“Programs like CTEC are so important and provide a much-needed option for high school students in our community. Being able to build up the young members of our community, to avail them of the chance to learn career-level skills is part of our mission,” said Mike Beckman, chair of The Learning Centers Board of Directors. “We thank Assemblymember Rodriguez for recognizing the need and helping us accomplish our mission.”
CTEC provides career technical skills training that supplements local high school curriculum to help students graduate on time, gain technical training with industry certifications, explore career options, and prepare for entry-level employment or additional career-technical education. CTEC pathways include automotive technology, welding, and urban agriculture.
Rodriguez, a Pomona native, said: “As a lifelong Pomona resident, I am incredibly proud to bring home nearly $2 million to enable the next generation of leaders to reach their career goals. Growing up in the south side of Pomona, I was not aware of available resources to help further my education or develop special skills. That is why I have fought throughout my tenure in the Legislature to bring these resources back to the 53rd Assembly District.”
Through hands-on classroom instruction by credentialed instructors, engagement with industry experts from the surrounding communities and interaction with professional environments, CTEC pathways provide innovative learning experiences to students – a much-needed resource in the community. The funding will help strengthen and expand facilities, learning tools and technology, allowing TLC to provide a high-quality career readiness program to youth across the region.
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