Summer session at San Diego Continuing Education (SDCE) is underway for residents looking to upskill their resumes and prepare for employment
readiness, 40,000 students are expected in attendance. All classes are free and online,
scheduled for June 8 to August 22, 2020.
SDCE’s career training certificate programs are usually available on campus with lectures
held in industry style learning labs, but due to temporary closures, are now being
taught remotely. This summer, job seekers can opt for one or more professional certificates
or basic skills classes:
● Automotive
● Business and Accounting
● Child Development
● Clothing and Textile Arts
● Culinary Arts and Sciences
● Digital Media
● Healthcare Careers
● Information Technology
● Skilled and Technical Trades
● English as a Second Language
● Disability Support, Programs, and Services
● High School Diploma/Equivalency
● Classes for Adults 55+
“Tens of millions of Americans will require short-term, intensive career education to make themselves employable,” said SDCE President Carlos O. Turner Cortez, Ph.D. “SDCE delivers fast, free job training that leads to livable wages.”
Richard Sanchez, a student who experienced being laid off during the pandemic states
SDCE’s free classes enabled him to earn an income and attend college on a scholarship.
He first enrolled in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at SDCE back in
1997 as a Lincoln High School sophomore since growing up in Tijuana, Mexico, where
his primary language at home is Spanish.
Sanchez now 38 enrolled again at SDCE, this time for workforce training. He is currently
completing certificates for Welding, Plumbing, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
While finding sustainable work is slow amidst Covid-19 layoffs, Sanchez looks to Craigslist
to support his family, responding to home improvement gigs. “Going back to school
changed my confidence and my future. Although I am only taking side jobs right now,
I have more time for homework,” he said.
The disruption of COVID-19 prompted every higher education institution across the
world to go completely digital for the 2019-2020 academic year, a unique challenge
for SDCE, a school that serves California's most vulnerable populations.
According to Sanchez the rapid change to remote learning was helpful. “Taking three
intensive classes right now on Canvas that were meant for in person learning showed
me that I can be successful in college.” SDCE faculty are using GoPro cameras, Canvas
and Zoom to mirror hands-on learning inside the school’s learning labs.
For many years, going to college was a distant dream for Sanchez. Living in Oaxaca
both of his parents were forced to drop out of school at a young age, his mom from
sixth grade and his dad, fifth. As an SDCE student, Sanchez was selected for the San
Diego Promise, a scholarship that provides two years of tuition at City, Mesa and
Miramar colleges. This fall he will transition to City college, majoring in behavioral
and social sciences with a goal of becoming a social worker.
To ensure equal access to online instruction, SDCE is actively distributing free laptops
and providing a “Wi-Fi Parking Lot” for enrolled students.
Enrollment for summer session is still open, to learn more visit sdce.edu.