Stanislaus County works with MJC to expand summer training for nursing students
Stanislaus County supervisors approved an agreement with Modesto Junior College to expand a summer nursing externship program and extend it for another 12 months.
The vote Tuesday evening increased the dollar amount for the agreement between county Workforce Development and MJC from $200,000 to $283,192.
The agreement, which began in July 2025, is part of the county department’s effort to expand career opportunities by working with regional institutions.
County Workforce Development has partnered with the community college on clinical training and work-based learning for nursing students. MJC received two grants through the state of California’s K-16 Collaborative, which streamlines education leading to professional careers in different regions of the state.
The county department serves as the official employer of nursing students in paid externships at local healthcare facilities. An externship is not the same as the hands-on experience of an internship. Externs usually shadow experienced employees at the workplace, and externships are shorter than typical internships.
The nursing students are paid $21.70 an hour during the training at Doctors Medical Center, Memorial Medical Center, Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock and other facilities. Information wasn’t available on the number of students who have participated.
With the expansion approved Tuesday evening, MJC can put more nursing students in the program. Extending the agreement to Sept. 1, 2027, creates an option for an additional summer cohort.
Supervisor Terry Withrow said more than ever, there’s a push for vocational training, whether it’s trade unions offering job skills training, VOLT Institute or community college programs.
“I totally support this,” Withrow said. “College does not need to be the answer for everyone.”
The closure of the Del Monte Foods plant and other recent layoffs raised questions at the meeting about retraining for dislocated workers.
Milt Trieweiler, a local resident, said MJC used to excel at teaching job skills to people. County Chief Executive Officer Jody Hayes clarified that MJC has quite a few vocational programs and the county is working with the college on more.
