April 3, 2024 - ROCKLIN – On Tuesday, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, alongside the Governor’s Council for Career Education, visited Sierra College’s workforce programs that are empowering students by providing training for well-paying jobs. During the visit, the First Partner met with students from the Mechatronics program – created to meet regional industry needs – as they worked in the college’s Makerspace.

“The Sierra College Mechatronics program is a great example of the commitment the Governor and I share to provide Californians with pathways to well-compensated careers so they have the resources to provide for themselves and their families. The focus on recruiting more women into STEM fields like mechatronics also furthers our goal to close the wage, wealth, and opportunity gaps by uplifting women in industries that traditionally exclude us.” – First Partner Siebel Newsom

PROGRAM SUCCESS STORY: Among the students the First Partner met with was Sara Lausmann, the Line Maintenance Manager at Bosch Semiconductors, a soon to be 200mm silicon carbide (SiC) Fab plant in Roseville – and recipient of a CalCompetes award last year. Prior to moving into management, Sara worked as a Line Maintenance Technician for eight years with TSI in the Dry Etch Area. During this time, she went back to school to earn a Mechatronics Certificate at Sierra College. This enabled her to build a great relationship with the Mechatronics Program and onboard many of their graduates.

“It was a pleasure welcoming California leaders to Sierra College to see the results of the hard work of faculty, staff, and students in changing lives,” said Willy Duncan, Sierra College Superintendent/President. “Working closely with the local business community and with the support of our community and the State of California we are helping students find new opportunities.”

BIGGER PICTURE: Last year, Governor Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom launched California’s Family Agenda, which overhauled how California thinks about education and ensures all kids can access a quality education, be safe on campus, get healthy meals and mental health care, have the freedom to read books and learn history, and ensure parents have the right to actively participate in their child’s learning.

Shortly after the tour, the First Partner opened Governor Newsom’s Council for Career Education, which convened their first off-site meeting later that day on Sierra College’s campus. The Council  includes members from state level leadership representing Tk-12 , higher education, labor, and the business community:

• Ben Chida, Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary, Office of the Governor

• Michael Drake, President, University of California

• Sonya Christian, Chancellor, California Community Colleges

• Kristen Soares, President, Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities

• Tony Thurmond, Superintendent of Public Instruction, California Department of Education

• Joe Stephenshaw, Director, California Department of Finance

• Dee Dee Myers – Senior Advisor and Director, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development

• Jennifer Barrera, President and CEO, California Chamber of Commerce

• Jeff Freitas, President, California Federation of Teachers

• Stewart Knox, Secretary, California Labor and Workforce Development Agency

• Josh Fryday, Chief Service Officer, California Volunteers
  Source: Office of the Governor