Harder Secures Over $1 Million for Learning Hub to Prepare San Joaquin County Students for Good-Paying Jobs
The Career-Connected Learning Hub will empower students to choose the education path that’s right for them, whether that’s a four-year college degree or skills-based training
61% of Gen Z high school students want a skills-based education
WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-9), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, announced that he secured $1,050,000 to build a Career-Connected Learning Hub in Stockton to set San Joaquin County students up for successful career paths. The hub will be led by San Joaquin A+ and will provide a collaboration space for educators and employers to combine classroom instruction with relevant, hands-on experience like farm drone design challenges, electric vehicle maintenance classes, and entrepreneurial “Shark Tank” competitions.
“We need to do everything we can to set our kids up for success, and that means preparing them to get good-paying jobs when they graduate,” said Rep. Harder. “A four-year college degree isn’t the answer for everyone. We need to expand work-based learning opportunities and encourage skills-based education paths to fill open jobs right here in our community. This Career-Connected Learning Hub is a vital investment for the future of our kids.”
"We are so extremely grateful for the support and advocacy of Congressman Harder and other local leaders," said Kai Kung, CEO of San Joaquin A+. "We will use this funding to create a greater number of high-quality programs that provide students with the knowledge, skills, credentials, and capital to secure family-sustaining careers by the age of twenty-six. We know that in order to create a bright future for our youth, San Joaquin County needs to cultivate a talent pipeline of prepared, local, and diverse future workforce. This funding will provide the spark needed to make that possible."
Through work-based learning opportunities like career exploration, mentoring, project-based learning, and paid internships and apprenticeships, this hub will allow students to decide which job field is best for them. The hub will empower students to get the skills, training, and experience they need to fill local jobs in the agriculture, health care, education, and trade sectors.
This project is supported by the San Joaquin County Office of Education, San Joaquin Delta College, Business Council of San Joaquin, Port of Stockton, Visionary Home Builders, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, San Joaquin County WorkNet, El Concilio, San Joaquin Community Foundation, Holt of California, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Lodi Appellation Inclusion Collective, Reinvent Stockton Foundation, and Oasis City Center.
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