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A nib that would allow customs colleges to offer specialized bachelor'south degrees has passed the Legislature and is headed to the governor.

Senate Bill 850, by Sen. Marty Cake, D-San Diego, would set up a pilot programme allowing 15 community college campuses to offer 1 bachelor'south degree each. The degrees can't duplicate one that is already offered at California State University or University of California campuses, and must exist offered in a field that meets a local work force demand. The customs college degree programs would brainstorm no later than the 2017-18 school year.

If the bill is signed, California would go the 22nd state that allows community colleges to offering the four-year degrees. The pecker doesn't specify majors, simply the degrees would likely be offered in specialized fields, such as automotive technology, which accept undergone meaning technological advances in recent years and require a more highly educated work strength. Certificate programs or associate degrees traditionally offered by community colleges often aren't plenty to secure a job.

"This is landmark legislation that is a game changer for California's higher education organization and our work force preparedness," Block said in a argument. "SB 850 boosts the focus of our community colleges on job training now when California faces a major skills gap in our workforce."

California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice Harris too hailed the legislation equally helping accost "California's urgent piece of work force needs."

"In today'due south economy, many businesses require their employees to possess a four-year degree or higher skill sets than are offered through acquaintance degree programs, even in fields such every bit dental hygiene or automotive applied science where a two-year degree would accept been sufficient in the past," Harris said in a argument.

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