Tsang: I am taking the charge
SMC HDQTRS. — If the popular automotive repair course once offered at Santa Monica College is restored — a request made by residents, auto dealers and members of the college’s board of trustees — chances are it will be overhauled.
Officials at the college are considering creating a new area of instruction under the banner of transportation that would take auto repair to another level. Instead of just learning how to fix carburetors or replace a worn-out clutch, students could be taught how to use computers to diagnose a car’s ills, or how to inspect energy-efficient vehicles to see if manufacturers are meeting government standards.
There also could be a course dedicated to alternative fuels, helping students adapt to an industry that is certain to change dramatically over the next 20 years as manufacturers move away from gasoline-powered vehicles to those that run on electricity or fusion technology.
The evolution of the automotive program is part of SMC’s efforts to bring back the occupational programs that were cut three years ago and create new ones that better serve students and the needs of the business community. In 2003, many occupational programs such as automotive repair were cut because of budget constraints.
SMC officials are currently studying the economy, job markets, new technologies and demand so that they can better decide which classes to restore, which ones to let go, and where they can create new opportunities to fill the void created by new technology.
The effort is supposed to lay out priorities for the future and is intended to create a long-range plan for occupational programs that will adapt as the job market fluctuates. The last time SMC prepared such a plan was a decade ago, college officials said.
“We want to have a more comprehensive response and not a knee-jerk reaction to change, because technology is changing dramatically and with that so are job skills and the labor market,” said SMC President Chui L. Tsang. “To do this effectively, we have to find industrial clusters, such as transportation, and not just one single occupation. We have a faculty that can follow the development of these clusters and keep track of it and change with them. That is how we can become more relevant to the community.”
When the cuts were made, SMC was still offering the same percentage of occupational programs — 22 percent — when compared to academic courses. However, complaints came from students and businesses about the loss of courses that replenished the workforce annually, such as automotive repair.
“A number of people, particularly in the Pico neighborhood, felt (the automotive) program was very valuable because it could provide a good income for those who are pursuing higher education or those looking to provide for their families,” said Nancy Greenstein, chair of the SMC board of trustees.
With SMC’s finances gaining strength, Greenstein said she and the other trustees are looking to bring programs back.
However, with Tsang just beginning his job as president, the process has been delayed somewhat to allow Tsang time to get his feet firmly planted, said Randal Lawson, executive vice president of SMC in charge of student affairs.
“We have had to delay a bit in forming our advisory board … and with the selection of a new president, we (district staff) felt it would be appropriate to wait until he (Tsang) was on board before we proceed,” Lawson said.
“Trustees may have wanted to move ahead sooner, but we all felt we should go in this direction,” Lawson added. “These programs require more than just adding a few liberal-arts studies. They require a substantial investment in staff, equipment. We need to choose those courses that are going to attract a sufficient number of students to support it.”
Greenstein said the board is interested in learning more about evolving job markets and new technologies, “but we also wanted to make clear to staff the importance of working with the community to get these programs back on line as soon as possible.
“Trying to restore automotive has been on my plate since it was cut about three years ago,” Greenstein said.
Tsang said the board is anxious to get some programs on line “because we have been perceived by some as we are not doing enough in this area.”
Tsang said SMC currently offers 41 occupational programs, but he realizes the need to do more and is eager to have a comprehensive plan developed by the summer that could be put into place by the 2007-08 school year. “Occupational programs are one of the major tasks of a community college, so we want to do a good job,” Tsang said. “There has been some concern in the past with leadership issues, but I assured the board that I am taking the charge on this.”
Tsang said some areas that could be considered include transportation, health care, construction and building-systems management.
“As a college, we cannot do everything. We need to be selective,” Tsang said. “Our goal is to provide high skills so that our students can earn higher wages, while at the same time, deliver workers who are well trained to meet industry’s demands in certain areas. Now we have to find what those areas are and if there is a demand by our students.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 19, 2006. Read the original PDF.