Southwestern College - Construction Trades Training & OFCCP Introduction

On November 1, 2023, Jennifer Fritzel, Regional Outreach Coordinator, Engie Mota, San Diego District Office Director, Megan Gutierrez, San Diego District Office Assistant Director, and Lawrence White, Regional Outreach Technical Advisor, met with Daniella Lara-Castellanos, Apprenticeship and Readiness Coordinator, and Jennifer Lewis, Dean of Applied Technology and Hospitality Workforce Development, Southwestern Community College. Jennifer provided an overview of OFCCP and the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry Mega Construction Project, and outreach training opportunities available to the community. Jennifer Lewis shared that Southwest College historically did not have a focus in the construction industry until recently. She is putting together a trades curriculum that will soon roll out in various trades. Her focus now has been preparing students for the new workforce development opportunities, and getting students enrolled into apprenticeship programs. The school is also increasing their skills training in math and reading to ensure students are successful with these subjects valuable to the construction trades. Jennifer Lewis is beginning to establish her relationships in San Diego's construction industry community. OFCCP offered to assist with any introductions she'd be interested in. Jennifer Lewis suggested OFCCP consider connecting with San Diego's MTS to learn whether there's opportunity for MTS to increase and maximize their bus routes to the Otay Mesa Border, as transportation is an issue there. She also mentioned transportation, childcare, and housing are the top three issues her students are facing. While the school has a great supportive services system in place, they are continuously looking to increase their support to ensure students are successful. Jennifer Lewis mentioned they are reviewing open grants to consider as funding opportunities. Jennifer Lewis shared with OFCCP that she can modify her training curriculum to help meet the needs to training for the Mega Project. She would like to be the school that does not compete against other programs, rather the school that bridges the training gap between all of the programs already in place. OFCCP shared we would review our notes from what we've learned about other local programs and share with her where we see gaps in the construction trades training. They've held one cohort, which included approximately 20% of women. This cohort had a female instructor who is also a minority. Their second cohort will begin in January. Jennifer Lewis questioned OFCCP whether they've considered the non-boots/jobsite construction industry workers, adding that there are a lot of people interested in the administrative side of construction industry. Southwestern College also offers training programs for those outside of the jobsite construction industry. Both agencies are excited for future collaborations and will reconnect soon.