A group of 11 central California community colleges, including Bakersfield College, were recently awarded a $20 million federal grant through the Trade Adjustment Agreement Community College and Career Training Grant Program.

Five million of the $20 million grant was given to the Kern Community College District, which includes BC, Porterville College and Cerro Coso College.

According to BC President Greg Chamberlain, the money will be used to help the college improve its career training programs.

“The idea is to get people through all of these processes in a shorter period of time and in greater numbers so that we can get people into the workforce.”

The focus of the grant is on improving retention and achievement rates and decreasing time to completion. Chamberlain says the school can expect an increase of 3,000 graduates over the next three years as a result of the grant.

BC also received the California Education Policy Grant as part of a coalition of six other schools. The $600,000 grant encourages schools to restructure their policies in ways that help students navigate their community colleges more successfully.

KCCD Chancellor John Means, explained that the grants were awarded through separate agencies, but share a common goal: help community colleges develop innovative programs that will increase student success.

According to Chamberlain, meetings have been planned over the next few months to set about specific long-term plans for the funding.

“We’re excited about the opportunities this grant brings. Hopefully it will have a very positive effect over the next few years on our student’s success,” he said.