SFV Today

LOS ANGELES, CA — On July 7, 2023, Congressman Tony Cárdenas announced $2 million in Community Project Funding to LA Mission College to increase STEM Workforce programs. This funding intends to increase the STEM workforce by creating a comprehensive program to support non-English speaking foreign-born STEM workers in addition to those new to STEM fields and interested in entering STEM professions. The goal of the project is to expand the current offerings of the Allied Health programs to include vocational nurse phlebotomy, cardiovascular technician, and medical assistant to meet the workforce and demand in the community.

“Above all else, I represent everyone regardless of the language that they speak. I know that this funding will expand access to non-traditional students and help them attain their dreams,” said Congressman Cardenas. “At the end of the day, the goal is to serve everyone in Congress and expand opportunities for folks that otherwise wouldn’t have access to them. Whether those opportunities include pursuing a career in STEM services such as vocational nurses, phlebotomy, cardiovascular technician, medical assistant, or choose to purse STEM courses to meet the workforce demand in the community. I am proud to be a part of a project that will allow non-English speakers to pursue their dreams and close equity gap of these professions.”

LAMC is planning to add additional Allied Health degrees to meet the workforce demand and providing access in the healthcare sector to underrepresented communities. Community Project Funding will be used to create these new high demand programs. Funding will pay for staff salaries, curriculum design, and laboratory equipment for the programs, including hospital beds and manikins. An anticipated 40-50 students will be enrolled in each program (a total of 160-200 students) annually. The programs will be sustained through student tuition beyond the funding period.

The classes will also include speakers from various STEM disciplines to answer questions related to the educational requirements and expectations in their fields. Industry partners will be invited to speak about career opportunities. Students will have access to resume writing and interview support. At the end of the course sequence, students will receive a Certificate of Achievement in Applied English for STEM. This comprehensive approach will support many foreign-born STEM workers as well as those who are new to STEM to pursue a career in STEM fields. As part of the program, LAMC will also help students secure paid internships with industry partners, to provide additional work experience and help connect students with potential employers. Funding will be used to provide internships for 20-30 students, who will be paid $1500-$3000 depending on the length of the internship (from 6-12 weeks). Internships are a widely promoted high-impact practice across higher education, particularly among minority-serving institutions, where internships are transformative for students’ career success.

“In 2022, I had the privilege of securing $10 million from California's budget for the Los Angeles Mission College's Biotechnology STEM Institute. This year, I am happy to see Congressman Cárdenas continuing to build off that investment by securing an additional $2 million from the federal budget to create a program that will empower non-English foreign-born workers and individuals interested in pursuing a career in STEM,” said Assemblywomen Rivas. “This investment marks a milestone for California's workforce and economic development, and I look forward to seeing how this investment will transform the lives of the students and the community it serves.”

“The Los Angeles Community College District commends Congressman Tony Cardenas’ leadership in securing the $2 million federal grant to empower students interested in entering STEM professions,” said LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez, Ph.D. “This grant enables us to provide direct student support, removing a significant barrier, and incentivizing student success.

“This is a tremendous investment in L.A. Mission College and will directly support our new short-term Allied Health certificates, which include EKG Technician, Licensed Vocational Nurse, and Phlebotomy Technician,” said LAMC President Armida Ornelas, Ph.D. “Thanks to Congressman Cardenas, this funding will help close equity gaps and create generational change for the residents of the communities we serve.”

“California continues to face a workforce shortage in the Allied Health and Healthcare sectors and these funds will help Los Angeles County meet that demand while providing transformative career opportunities for the Northeast San Fernando Valley,” said LACCD Board of Trustees 1st Vice President Nichelle Hernandez.

For the second time since 2009, Congress passed Community Project Funding, the money requested by Members of Congress to meet the needs of their district. Congressman Cárdenas submitted 15 requests to the Appropriations Committee, all of which were passed in the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations federal funding package. The over $26 million going to the Northeast San Fernando Valley will support job creation, youth programs, mental health care, community empowerment, improvements to healthcare and more.

Located in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) is a public Hispanic Serving Institution that provides certificate and degree programs in over 60 disciplines. Continuing its steady growth, enrollment reached 9,790 in Fall 2020. Nearly 90% of students who attend LAMC are members of an ethnic minority. LAMC has one of the highest percentages of Hispanic students in California and throughout the United States, comprising 78% of students enrolled. Over 60% of LAMC students are low-income financial aid recipients. The college’s primary service area is the nearby communities of Sylmar, Pacoima, and San Fernando, where over 80% of residents are Hispanic.

Los Angeles Mission College is committed to the success of its students. The college awards associate degrees and certificates, and provides accessible, affordable, high-quality learning opportunities in a culturally and intellectually supportive environment. For more information, visit www.lamission.edu.

Original source can be found here.