From cybersecurity to job security, MiraCosta College will help get you there

With the COVID-19 pandemic leading to record-breaking levels of unemployment throughout the region, MiraCosta College is expanding its already abundant opportunities for no-cost or low-cost education and training programs critical not only to finding jobs that are in demand now, but that will be in demand for years to come.

Cybersecurity workers, healthcare professionals—especially registered nurses, first responders, business operations specialists, teaching assistants and administrative assistants trained in the most up-to-date technologies have been identified by regional Labor Market Research as providing the most recession-resistant, middle-skills job opportunities—and all play to MiraCosta College’s strengths.

In addition, this summer MiraCosta teamed up with the City of Oceanside on a Hire Local campaign, allowing residents to enroll in tuition-free, MiraCosta Community Education & Workforce Development job-training programs for the skills and know-how needed for in-demand trades at Oceanside businesses.

Hire Local programs include Biomedical Equipment Technology, Welding, Computer Numeric Control (CNC), Engineering Technician, Machinist Technology, Electronic Assembly Technician, and Phlebotomy. CNC operators are taking home an average wage of more than $61,000 annually in the region, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical equipment technicians are earning more than $60,000 per year on average, and mechanical engineering technicians are earning an average annual wage of more than $55,000 locally.

“Far too many people have lost their jobs or are barely hanging on because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to a lot of individuals who want to very quickly retrain and get back to work,” said MiraCosta College Superintendent/President Dr. Sunny Cooke. “They’re also looking to recession-proof their lives and MiraCosta is here to help them.”

MiraCosta offers everything from certificate programs that can be completed within a few months, associate degrees that follow with transfer to a four-year college or university, and the college now offers a bachelor’s degree in biomanufacturing.

Biomanufacturing and biotech students can see a nearly 50 percent increase in their earnings after graduation, and 75 percent of MiraCosta College biotech and biomanufacturing students earn the regional living wage immediately after completing their program.

In addition, MiraCosta College has partnered with Point Loma Nazarene University to offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing, business administration, child development, and computer information technology—with all classes either taken online or at MiraCosta College.

MiraCosta College offers the most affordable education anywhere. All first-time college students taking 12+ units a semester can receive two years of college for free. Returning college student? No problem. For only $46 a unit and ample scholarships and grants available, MiraCosta has you covered.

“Community colleges typically see a significant increase in enrollment during difficult economic times, and Census Bureau data indicate community colleges accounted for half of the growth in college enrollment during the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009,” said Dr. Cooke. “There is no better option than MiraCosta College for those in our community looking for a change during these challenging times.”