In January, Grossmont Adult Education, the GUHSD CTE office, and Santana High School partnered to open new advanced manufacturing classes for adult learners. The evening classes offered are Introduction to CADD and Introduction to Digital Fabrication. These courses are meant to address the regional need for a skilled workforce in the manufacturing sector.

When approached, Santana Principal Tim Schwuchow and CTE Coordinator Doug Coffin saw the advantages of offering adult learners the opportunities that their high school CTE manufacturing and engineering students have. By allowing access to Santana’s IT shops and labs, adults are retraining for the modern, technology-based work environments.

Additionally, the classes are offered as an iBest program. In the iBest model, the students have two teachers in the classroom. Ivan Rubio is the technical manufacturing teacher and Teresa Stanley is the academic support teacher. By teaming, the teachers are able to teach the technical skills necessary for success and provide additional support for the mathematics and literacy components.

Rob Cornick, an adult student in the D-FAB class, agreed the added support for mathematics is beneficial for him since the math required in this training includes concepts he has not used some time. And he appreciates the project-based nature of the class. Rob’s learning involves designing a piece of his 1970 Triumph automobile that is no longer manufactured. In the weeks to come, he hopes to have it manufactured using the 3-D printer. For Rob, it’s a win-win situation as he learns necessary skills and creates a product that he can use.

Students completing these classes will have access to entry-level manufacturing jobs, as well as opportunities to take courses at Grossmont-Cuyamaca and San Diego City Community Colleges for advanced certifications.