Evolving Curriculum for Associate Degrees
The SMW Local 104 and Bay Area Industry Fund (JATC) program curriculum continues to develop in partnership with Foothill College. In fact, Foothill’s certificates of achievement in Sheet Metal Building Trades, TAB and Air Conditioning Mechanic are among the highest unit counts, with apprentices earning 68 -70 quarter units upon turnout.
Currently, Local 104 District 1 apprentices need to complete seven additional general education courses to be eligible for their Associate in Science degrees, which requires the completion of 90 quarter units.
JATC program administrators Tim Myres and Ben Rivera are working with Chris Allen and other Foothill College partners to provide credit for prior learning, potentially reducing the number of general ed courses apprentices need to complete. In the future, we anticipate apprentices will only need to complete two or three general ed courses to receive an associate degree.