CEDAP Kickoff Welcomes First Cohort of Future Civil Engineers at Contra Costa College

On July 7, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) and Contra Costa College officially welcomed the first cohort of the Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Pathway (CEDAP) at a kickoff event on campus. The program, led by WDBCCC Program Managers Yelena Miakinina and Noramah Burch, marks a major step toward expanding equitable access to infrastructure careers for underrepresented students in the East Bay.

The first 20-student cohort began their journey with a Summer Transition to College Bridge program, designed to strengthen foundational STEM skills to prepare for the academic journey ahead.

At the kickoff event, held in the Contra Costa College planetarium, program partner Growth Sector presented an overview of the five-year pathway, and students introduced themselves and shared some of their program experiences.

Attendees also had the opportunity to view a hands-on demonstration of a robotics coding project students are working on as part of the bridge program.

Faculty members Mark Wong (Engineering & Physics) and Max Rivera (Math), who are currently teaching the cohort, joined the event alongside representatives from Caltrans, MESA, and WDBCCC Director Tamia Brown.

CEDAP is a cohort-based program that blends classroom instruction, embedded student support, and real-world experience—starting with a summer bridge and culminating in paid internships and eventual apprenticeship roles as Engineering Aides. With over 40 internship opportunities available through local employers and university-led projects, this program creates critical pathways into civil and transportation engineering careers.

This initiative builds on Growth Sector's successful model launched at East Los Angeles College and is part of a broader statewide expansion supported by a $5 million grant from the Biden-Harris Administration's Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program.

Creating Career Pathways in EMS: Paramedic Apprenticeship Program in Full Swing

Under the leadership of Director Tamia Brown, WDBCCC has launched its first in-house Paramedic Apprenticeship Program— a significant milestone in expanding advancing economic opportunity for all, with a focus on underrepresented populations, by expanding high-quality career pathways in emergency medical services.

Developed in partnership with American Medical Response (AMR) and NCTI, the program helps Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) advance into Paramedic roles while remaining employed and earning wages.

With tuition costs covered through braided funding— including strong support from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)— participants receive both rigorous academic instruction from NCTI and hands-on, field-based training through AMR.

One of more than 60 participants currently enrolled, Da'Shane Robertson, a Bay Area native and AMR EMT since 2022, began paramedic school at NCTI in April 2024— tuition-free and fully employed. Today, he's completing his field internship under the guidance of an experienced preceptor and is on track to earn his Paramedic license by the end of the year.

More than just a career move, Da'Shane's story is about purpose and impact. "He wanted to show up for people in their most vulnerable moments," said WDBCCC staff. With support from WDBCCC, AMR and NCTI, he's turning that purpose into practice.

Da'Shane's story is proof of what's possible when workforce systems are built with inclusion and intention. When the right doors open and strategic support is in place, individuals rise, families benefit, and communities thrive.

Career Services Presented at Pinole Creek Stewards Resource Fair

On Monday, June 30, WDBCCC Administrator and leader of the Homeless-Workforce Partnership, Maureen Nelson, spoke at a resource fair for participants of the Pinole Creek Unhoused Stewards Project, a program offering paid environmental training and habitat restoration experience to unhoused individuals.

Hosted at the Pinole Public Library, the event connected participants with career services and support. The project is a partnership between the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, Resilient and Equitable Urban Stream Corridors Project, and Safe Organized Spaces (SOS) Richmond. One of its core goals is to help participants prepare for careers in the environmental sector.

Upcoming Board Meetings

The WDBCCC has released its schedule for upcoming Board Meetings, which are open to the public. Please note that meeting dates are subject to change.

* Executive Committee: Wednesday, August 13, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

* Youth Committee: Wednesday, August 20, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information.

Looking to change careers this year? Check out EASTBAYWorks' events, where you can gain certifications and other job-training skills. This month's events include:

* CDL Training Information Session - Performing Solutions: Thursday, August 14, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

* Enterprise Mobility On-Site Recruitment: Thursday, August 14, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.



* Cover Letter and Resume Basics Employment Workshop: Tuesday, August 19, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.



* Shelter Inc. Job and Resource Fair: Wednesday, August 27, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

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