MiraCosta and Cal State San Marcos present workforce pipelines: apprenticeships, dual enrollment and subsidized student housing

Regional higher‑education leaders on Tuesday told Carlsbad officials they are expanding pathways intended to supply local employers with trained workers and to reduce the cost and time required to earn a degree.

Ben Gamboa, associate dean of career education at MiraCosta College, described a pilot biotechnology dual‑enrollment pathway that will allow some high‑school seniors to earn an associate degree by graduation and transfer into MiraCosta’s biomanufacturing bachelor’s program. "By the time that they're graduating as a senior, they will earn their associate's degree in biotechnology, and then they'll be able to transfer into the baccalaureate degree for biomanufacturing at MiraCosta College and finish their, their baccalaureate program at the age of 19 or 20 years old," Gamboa said.

Gamboa also outlined MiraCosta’s apprenticeship work: the college’s bioscience workforce hub has placed 40 apprentices in biotech roles and is expanding apprenticeships into IT and advanced manufacturing. He highlighted affordability statistics cited by the college — $46 per unit and bachelor's programs costing less than $10,000 over four years in specific programs — and said MiraCosta has generated what it estimates as $648,000,000 in annual added income for the local economy and supported about 6,800 jobs.

Scott Gross, associate vice president of industry partnerships at California State University San Marcos, described CSUSM’s emphasis on social mobility and on accelerating time to degree through programs such as the SWIFT scholars fast‑track program and dual enrollment. He noted a state allocation of about $96,000,000 to support affordable rooms in a new residence hall (Black Oak Hall) and related dining space planned to open in 2027; the university characterizes the rooms as rent‑reduced for students meeting certain FAFSA metrics.

Councilmembers asked about artificial intelligence training, public‑works career pathways and veteran programs such as SkillsBridge at Camp Pendleton. Gamboa said MiraCosta offers an AI associate degree and open sessions where local businesses and students can work with faculty on AI tools; on SkillsBridge, he said the veterans office coordinates closely with Camp Pendleton but that he would follow up with specific program details.

Neither presentation led to a committee vote. Staff and councilmembers thanked the presenters and noted how the colleges’ workforce programming intersects with city priorities on talent attraction and local job growth.