Community colleges: incentive grant program for completion of industry-recognized credentials.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Existing law establishes community college districts throughout the state, and authorizes them to operate campuses and provide instruction to students. Existing law establishes various career technical education programs, including regional occupational centers and programs, specialized secondary programs, partnership academies, and agricultural career technical education programs. This bill would, commencing with the 2017–18 academic year, establish an incentive grant program for the completion of industry-recognized credentials, as defined, in specified occupational areas by students enrolled at participating campuses of the California Community Colleges. The bill would provide for the administration of this program, and the distribution of the incentive grant awards, by the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges. The bill would require a community college campus that receives an incentive grant award under this bill to use the funds to improve its workforce development and career technical education programs, as specified. The bill would list criteria to be prioritized in the selection of industry-recognized credentials that would be eligible for funding under the program. The bill would require the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to submit a report to the Legislature containing specified information about the program on or before December 1, 2018, and on or before December 1 every 3 years thereafter.