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Overview

The RP Group is conducting a multiphase evaluation on the Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative’s (BAWFC) investment in community college career technical education (CTE) bridge programs.

Phase 1 (2012 – 2015):

Over two years, BAWFC grantees implemented models that engaged participant cohorts in a semester of contextualized basic skills and technical coursework, and integrated student support and career exploration. Completion of the bridge semester prepared participants to pursue additional training leading to a community college credential, and ultimately employment in the related CTE pathway. Grantees included:

• Cabrillo College: Accelerated Medical Assisting Program
• City College of San Francisco: Bridge to Biosciences
• Laney College: Industrial Maintenance Training Program
• Skyline College: Allied Health Career Advancement Academy

The RP Group’s comprehensive evaluation of these initiatives revealed insights related to (1) student outcomes and impact, (2) program design and implementation, and (3) future evaluation.

Phase 2 – 3 (2015 – 2017):

The BAWFC has continued to support the development and expansion of community college bridge programs, funding four new grantees including:

• Cañada College: Information and Communication Technology Bridge Program
• Laney College: Jump Start to Bio-Manufacturing Bridge Program
• Merritt College: Bridge to Healthcare Careers
• Skyline College: Domestic Warehousing and Logistics Career Advancement Academy

The BAWFC’s current investment is particularly focused on developing collaborations between community colleges, community-based organizations, and employers to deliver these programs. Our evaluation is continuing to assess the effectiveness of bridge programs as a strategy to successfully ready underprepared students for entry into and completion of CTE pathway programs leading to a certificate or degree, with special attention to the role community-based partners play in supporting student success.