Gavin Newsom visits Modesto to promote hiring of people without college degrees
Gov. Gavin Newsom paid a visit Wednesday to Modesto to promote a plan for career opportunities for people with valuable skills but without a four-year college degree.
Newsom stopped at the Modesto Junior College West Campus fire training center for an hourlong conversation with local government and education officials about skills-based hiring and education.
Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen said specialized education programs provide students with the hands-on training and skills necessary to fill in-demand jobs in manufacturing, health care and business. The mayor said state and local representatives are standing together to empower students who choose a career and technical education path, which can serve as a foundation for a thriving economy.
Newsom said about 37% of California adults have four-year college degrees. The percentage is even lower in Stanislaus County, with 24% holding college degrees.
Some 840 people have worked to develop the California Master Plan for Career Education, containing career opportunity strategies for 13 regions of the state. The efforts will work in parallel with K-12 education and higher-learning institutes to collaborate on workforce development.
The general message is: Life won’t be over for those lacking a four-year college degree.
Giving credit to military veterans for their skills
Newsom said the plan aims to support 30,000 veterans of military service by giving them credits for skills mastered during their service, allowing them to advance more quickly to attain a degree.
State government put itself in the mirror by eliminating a college degree requirement for 30,000 state jobs and is looking at doubling that, the governor said.
Joining Newsom at the MJC West Campus were Southern California Democrat Al Muratsuchi, chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, and Stewart Knox, secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency.
The master plan also encourages high schools and colleges including MJC to create more opportunities for workplace-focused training and place students in apprenticeships and internships.
Another element of the plan is a career passport platform. People could use the platform to promote their credentials and skills to possible employers.
This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM.
