College of the Sequoias highlights new Tulare campus trades complex and employer partnerships

College of the Sequoias leaders told the City of Tulare and school district trustees that the Tulare campus has expanded its capacity for career‑technical education with a new applied technology and trades complex.

Dr. Loan Walner, provost for the Tulare campus, described the newest buildings as an applied technology and trades complex opened in spring 2025. She said the complex provides roughly 71,000 square feet of shop and instructional space and houses eight shops/programs: automotive, industrial maintenance, industrial automation, electrician training, HVAC, welding, diesel/equipment technician fundamentals and related CTE shops. Funding was described as a Measure J/district combination totaling about $42 million.

Walner emphasized industry‑aligned credentialing and employer partnerships. She described a local example in which students complete equipment‑manufacturer training (Case/New Holland type credentials) so graduates can be job‑ready for local employers. COS also described a ‘‘connect, recruit, hire’’ event that drew more than 60 employers and roughly 250 students to meet firms about internships and jobs.

COS leaders said they are piloting eight‑week scheduling for some CTE sequences (electrician training) to allow multiple start points in an academic year and reduce wait times for students seeking certificates. Brent Calvin, COS superintendent/president, highlighted broader campus growth across the COS district, including a planned university center and other capital projects at other campus sites.

College leaders said dual/concurrent enrollment with local high schools is strong (COS reported serving more than 3,000 unduplicated high‑school students in the fall) but noted funding and staffing constraints that make regional coordination necessary.

COS requested ongoing conversations with the district and city on workforce alignment, equipment donations and transport access. No formal agreements were approved at the meeting; next steps are staff‑level coordination on program articulation and transportation options for students.