Rep. Aguilar Announces Nearly $1.7 Million for Healthcare Job Training and Technology Education at Inland Empire Community Colleges

Crafton Hills College will receive over $1.1 million to train student EMTs, paramedics and nursing assistants and San Bernardino Valley College will receive nearly $600,000 to teach students responsible artificial intelligence (AI) usage

SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced $1,69,2495 in grants for the San Bernardino Community College District. The funding will expand training at Crafton Hills College for healthcare and first responder jobs and teach San Bernardino Valley College students to use artificial intelligence responsibly in school and at work.

Of that funding, Crafton Hills College will receive $1,102,000 to expand EMT and paramedic apprenticeships, start a nursing assistant pathway at Pacific High School and create a new occupational therapy assistant program. Over five years, the funding will help train 220 EMT and paramedic apprentices, 115 nursing assistant students and 40 occupational therapy assistant students. It will also provide more than 1,500 students with workplace learning, educational planning and career guidance services.

San Bernardino Valley College will receive the remaining $590,495 to teach at least 5,000 students over five years how to use AI for research, communication, problem-solving and career preparation and how to prevent issues with accuracy, privacy and bias. The grant will also support student workshops, peer mentoring and a new course on AI. The funding will train 450 instructors and update at least 100 courses to incorporate responsible AI usage into teaching and learning.

"For students at San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College, a good-paying, successful career starts with a strong foundation," said Rep. Pete Aguilar. "That's why I'm proud to announce this funding to create job opportunities for future nurses and EMTs while making sure students learn to use AI the right way before they start their careers. I'm excited to see how these grants will help young people in the Inland Empire build their lives right here in our community."

"Families want an education they can afford, close to home, that leads to a good-paying job," said Diana Z. Rodriguez, Chancellor, San Bernardino Community College District. "These federal investments will help students at Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College finish school and prepare for careers in firefighting, nursing, the skilled trades and many other fields. We thank Congressman Aguilar, Congress and the U.S. Department of Education for helping our students build a better future here in the Inland Empire."

"We are grateful for this investment in our students and our community," said Dr. Gilbert J. Contreras, President, San Bernardino Valley College. "San Bernardino Valley College will continue our legacy of providing students with affordable pathways to meaningful wages. These resources help our students prepare for a world that is rapidly changing around them by strengthening our academic programs through responsible use of artificial intelligence and technology. This is an incredible investment in the future of our community."

This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education's Strengthening Institutions Program (84.031A) grant awards.