In a study by labor analytics firm Lightcast, data from the 2023-34 fiscal year focused on Career and Technical Education programs at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges found they generated just under $600 million to the regional economy via graduate and alumni earnings, student spending, operations, and construction spending.
“Our robust workforce programs are so successful, in part, because they are created with input from industry partners, specifically so that our colleges can offer the emerging training that students need to secure high-wage in-demand careers,” said Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Chancellor Lynn Ceresino Neault.
The study broke down the economic impact as follows:
• $425.5 million: Alumni impact. CTE alumni have joined the county workforce with greater knowledge and skills. As a result, their earnings have risen, and so has the productivity of the businesses that employ them. This added income supports 3,985 jobs.
• $84.3 million: Student spending. Nearly 20% of CTE students come from outside the county, and some in-county students would have left the region if the District’s CTE programs did not exist. The day-to-day living expenses of these relocated and retained students supported 1,105 jobs in San Diego County.
• $66.5 million: Operations spending. This impact reflects initial payroll of $45.8 million for 1,730 full- and part-time CTE faculty and staff, nearly all of whom live in San Diego County. In addition to the District’s spending on CTE facilities, supplies, professional services, and other foods and services. This added income supports 1,813 jobs in the region.
• $22.9 million: Construction spending. This is the impact of the District’s capital projects to maintain and expand CTE facilities to meet growing educational demand. In FY 2023-24, these capital projects generated $22.9 million in added income to the county economy.
