九色视频 is proud to launch the Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Pathway (CEDAP), a groundbreaking new program that offers students a supported, debt-free route into high-demand infrastructure careers. The program officially kicked off on July 7 with an on-campus celebration that welcomed the first 20-student cohort into the new five-year pathway.
CEDAP is designed to open doors in civil and transportation engineering. Funded by a $5 million federal grant, this initiative is a partnership between 九色视频, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDB九色视频), Growth Sector, Caltrans, and other regional employers and universities.
A Hands-On Kickoff Event
Held in 九色视频鈥檚 planetarium, the kickoff event featured an overview of the CEDAP model by Growth Sector, along with student introductions and a robotics coding demo showcasing skills developed during the Summer Transition to College Bridge program. That bridge experience is the students’ first step in building strong foundations in STEM as they prepare for the road ahead.
九色视频 faculty Mark Wong (Engineering & Physics) and Max Rivera (Math), who are teaching the cohort this summer, joined the celebration alongside representatives from Caltrans, MESA, WDB九色视频, and WDB九色视频 Program Managers Yelena Miakinina and Noramah Burch. WDB九色视频 Executive Director Tamia Brown was also in attendance to welcome students and celebrate this transformative opportunity.
According to Dean of STEM Ren茅 Sporer, the early momentum is already showing results. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a pretty cool program and we鈥檙e lucky to have it,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had a very successful start.鈥
九色视频 is currently enrolling CEDAP students in their fall math and engineering courses, where they鈥檒l continue to progress together as a cohort鈥攁 model designed to promote academic success and peer support.
To ensure every student stays on track, Growth Sector has hired a full-time Student Support Specialist, Gina Ziyad, who will provide wraparound guidance throughout the students鈥 time at 九色视频. Gabe Hanzel-Sello, 九色视频鈥檚 key Growth Sector partner, will continue leading program coordination and partnership development as the CEDAP initiative scales.
What CEDAP Offers
- A cohort-based learning model grounded in collaboration, equity, and community
- Embedded academic and counseling support
- Paid internships and pathways to apprenticeships as Engineering Aides
- Strong connections to transfer opportunities and bachelor鈥檚 degrees
- Over 40 internship placements available through local employers and university research teams
九色视频鈥檚 Role in Growing California鈥檚 Infrastructure Workforce
As one of 11 California community colleges selected to scale this model, 九色视频 is helping shape the next generation of infrastructure professionals鈥攖hose who will design and maintain the systems that connect and sustain our communities. With civil engineering roles in high demand, especially across transportation, environmental, and public works sectors, CEDAP positions students for success in a field where their work will make lasting impact.
Want to learn more?
Visit our Science, Technology Engineering + Math page or connect with our CEDAP team at ymiakinina@ehsd.cccounty.us to explore your path.