SMC Gets $4.8 Million Grant

By Lookout Staff

August 5, 2010 -- Santa Monica College has been awarded a $4.87 million grant for job training in the high-demand fields of recycling and resource management.

Through the Community-Based Job Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, SMC will collaborate with two Orange County community colleges -- Irvine Valley and Golden West -- to develop training curriculum that will yield a certificate degree in recycling and resource management.

"The curriculum will be used to create a national certification program and raise awareness about high-growth, high-demand jobs in waste management," college officials said, adding that SMC also plans to work with a number of other organizations, including the California Resources Recovery Association.

The grants "will create opportunities for working Americans to train for high-demand occupations with the help of our nationwide community college system," said U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis.

SMC is one of 41 community colleges and organizations nationwide to be selected for a total of $125 million in grants.

This is the second time SMC has received funds from the Community-Based Job Training Program. In 2006 the college was awarded a grant to increase access to training programs for careers in nursing.