Cerritos College News Release

NORWALK, Calif. – March 13, 2009 – Cerritos College has announced a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Southland Cerritos Center for Transportation Technologies (SCCTT), a signature automotive technology training center. The ceremony will be held on Friday, March 27^th at 11 a.m. at the Cerritos College Automotive Technology Center.

The $15 million expansion of the center is supported by two major donors: the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association and the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association, and local bond funds. Each association has contributed $500,000 to the project.

The SCCTT will feature a state-of-the-art Hybrid and Alternative Fuels Training Center, three manufacturer-sponsored technician apprentice programs (General Motors, Ford and Chrysler), and Northwood University’s West Coast program center that offers a bachelor’s degree in automotive management for full-time students and working adults.

“Cerritos College is the only community college in California with three manufacturer-sponsored technician programs,” said Steve Berklite, instructional dean of technology. “We have created unique educational partnerships with the automotive manufacturers, industry and a four-year private university.”

The proposed training center will include a $9 million renovation of the existing three-acre auto complex and a new $6 million automotive partners building that will focus on management education for the auto industry. When completed in 2010, the center will play a large role in filling the ever-changing, highly skilled employment needs of the auto industry.

“Through the SCCTT we commit ourselves to developing and providing the necessary education—including green technology training—to address the future needs of the transportation industry,” said Bill Farmer, Acting President/Superintendent. “Training tomorrow’s automotive industry workforce is certainly one of the keys to our economic recovery.”

As one of ten state Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Initiative Centers, the Cerritos College Automotive Technology Program continues to be recognized as regional and state leaders by being awarded the Advanced Transportation Technologies Energy Initiative grant.

Perhaps most impressively, Cerritos College is physically located just blocks from the world’s largest auto mall where it partners with dealers to train and employ technicians and dealer managers. The

greater Los Angeles area is home to more than 17 corporate support centers for the robust Southern California auto industry. It is also home to a number of design centers producing vehicle prototypes for future sales. Automotive-industry management opportunities routinely require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, which can now be pursued through Northwood University at Cerritos College.

Cerritos College has offered automotive technology training since the college began in 1955. More than 800 students annually seek certificate degrees and special programs in the disciplines of automotive repair, advanced transportation technologies, auto collision repair, intelligent transportation systems and alternative fuel and hybrids, making it one of the most comprehensive programs in the United States. The Auto Technology Program provides students with hands-on, nationally authorized training for GM, Ford, Chrysler and import vehicles, and operates a California Advanced Transportation Technology Center partially subsidized by the state to encourage development of alternative fuel sources.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 200 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 24,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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Cerritos College

Releases 2009