Economic and Workforce Development Program

Kay Ferrier, Dean
Economic and Workforce Development Program Unit Staff

The Economic Development Program (EDP) was established in 1991, and in 1996 economic development became one of the primary missions of the California Community Colleges. The purpose of the Program is to advance the state's economic growth and global competitiveness through education, training, and services that contribute to continuous workforce improvement, technology deployment and business development consistent with the state's regional economies. The role of the community colleges in this effort is to fulfill the vocational education and instructional needs of California business and industry through leadership, communication, and liaisons with the private sector as well as with public sector education and training providers. The California Community Colleges work with employers, advisory committees, and agency partners to identify, on a region-by-region basis, workforce education and training needs, including the needs of small business. Colleges have created a network of service providers that meet identified needs in a most cost-effective and timely manner.