College lands grant for green careers

NORWALK - Cerritos College has received the second installment of an Edison International grant to provide scholarship support for students pursuing green job programs at the school.The latest grant installment is $100,000 and is part of Edison's $1 million Green Jobs Education Initiative, which funds sustainable or green education and job training at 10 California community colleges. "Edison's generous support will provide financial assistance to students in need who seek careers in ever-emerging green technology fields," said Dr. Linda Lacy, president and superintendent of Cerritos College. The college invested the first $100,000 installment from Edison with the California Community College Scholarship Endowment, which allowed the college to receive an additional $50,000 match from the Bernard Osher Foundation. The second installment will also be invested with the Scholarship Endowment to receive a second match of $50,000, resulting in an endowment of $300,000 for green job scholarships. The scholarship will be distributed this year in the areas of green degree and certificate programs. The grant will provide scholarships for a minimum of 15 students with a scholarship award of $1,000 each. "This initiative provides a vehicle for us to create a vibrant 21st century workforce as we engage our communities and work together to addresses strategic needs," said Theodore F. Craver Jr., chairman and CEO of Edison International. "The Green Jobs Education Initiative also has the additional advantage of giving an economic boost to community colleges across the state coping with pressing financial needs."

********** Published: January 13, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 39