Career Resource Department (CRD)
Career Resource Department, in partnership with the Local Workforce Investment Board, is committed to providing quality education and youth development to both in and out-of-school youth. Multiple programs ensure each young person is provided the right education and training package to meet their individual needs.
This commitment to excellence and continuous improvement is reflected in CRD programs being three time recipients of the PEPNet (Promising and Effective Practices Network) award from the National Youth Employment Coalition and US Department of Labor.
Three time recipient of the PEPNet (Promising and Effective Practices Network award from the National
- Beautiful Bakersfield Award - Education Category
- Kern Press Club Award for Excellence
- Bronze Medal - The Columbia Scholastic Press Association
Mission: back to top
To promote self- sufficiency through educational and occupational training.
Programs: back to top
CTIES- Career Training, Interhship Education and Summer
C-TIES offers comprehensive Youth and workforce development activities for in-school youth ages 14 – 18. Program services are divided into two operational segments: 1) school year support and 2) paid summer work experience. During the school year emphasis is placed on educational achievement and life skills. Certificated instructors conduct an 8th period Career Education class for youth to gain skills and earn 5 credits towards high school graduation. An incentive point system measures progress of the participant towards these goals. Through WIA participation, school attendance, and academic achievement, a participant
PAVE- Personal and Vocational Exploration
This component was specially designed to provide services to youth with disabilities. CRD works with KHSD Special Education Department to identify potential participants. The summer component consists of 6 weeks of paid project-based learning. During the school year staff monitors academic performance and attendance. Incentives are paid for successful accomplishment of these objectives.
Project Success
This project serves youth 14—18 years old who are in the foster care system. Project Success provides youth the opportunity to obtain 5 credits towards high school graduation in an 8th period class in Career Development. The course focuses on soft skills and attainment of independent living skills needed for life after emancipation. Successful completion of the course entitles youth to 100 hours of paid work experience.
REAP- Re-entry Eduation Attainment Program
Re-entry Education Attainment Program (REAP) is designed to give high school drop-out youth, age 15 to 21, the opportunity to get their lives back “on-track,” earn a high school diploma or GED, learn employability skills, and improve self-esteem. Each participant is re-enrolled back in to the Bakersfield Adult School. Participants are monitored for attendance and progress throughout school year and summer, provided guidance with goal setting, life skills, and career exploration. Incentive stipends, paid work experience life/soft skills workshops, and supportive services are available to all enrolled REAP students to provide motivation to stay in school and graduate.
Quest 4 Success
Quest 4 Success is active at 4 participating Continuation Schools, Central Valley in Shafter, Nueva in Lamont, Vista P and Vista West. This program has two parts, a six week 8th period class and six weeks of paid work experience. This switch occurs 3 times though out the year. Participants are monitored for attendance and progress throughout school year and summer, incentive stipends can be earned for grades and participation.
CS2- Careers, Schools, Success
CS2 is a program for the high school graduates or older youth who need life skills and vocational training to successfully transition into being a self-sufficient adult. CS² is a three phase program: Phase #1 is a basic skills/life skills course. Upon successful completion participants move into Phase #2 which are “Before You Work” workshops. Phase #3 consists of 250 hours of paid work experience in the private sector coupled with ongoing workshops to reinforce soft skills.
ACT- Adolescent Career Transition
ACT is designed to assist youth, age 18 and older, who are emancipating from the foster care system achieve self–sufficiency. Paid work experience of up to 300 hours is coupled with life skills courses to assist youth with the transition to adulthood. Referrals to this program are made via Department of Human Services who continues to work with CRD staff to ensure the success of the young adults. Workshops are conducted around topics of interest as determined by participants to further assist their transition to adulthood. Incentives are available to eligible participants providing further external motivation for success.
Dream Center
The Dream Center was created to provide a non traditional environment, where current and emancipated foster youth could receive comprehensive services and linkages to their community. The Dream Center will provide education assistance, transition assistance, and individual linkages to higher education, vocation, and/or community employment; with the inclusion of a working coffee shop that will serve as a job incubator.
FOP- Farmworker Opportunity Program
Career Resource Department provides assistance to qualifying farm workers and their dependents who have the legal right to work in the United States, are income eligible and meet age requirements. The Farmworker Opportunity Program provides 250 hours of paid on the job training. Employers’ Training Resource provides educational incentives, food referrals and mileage reimbursement.
Staff: back to top
Jim McConnell, Program Coordinator
Karine Kanikkeberg, Resource Teacher
Natasha Hughes, Job Coach/Developer/ Clerical Specialist
Shelle Willard, Job Coach/Developer and Clerical Specialist
Shelly Black, Account Clerk III
Cindy Vasquez, WIA Support Services Technician
Debbie Barger, Job Coach/Developer, Clerical Specialist
Carolina Chavez, Job Coach/Developer, Clerical Specialist
Ashlie Meyer, Career Assistant
Contact: back to top
2727 "F" Street
Bakersfield, California 93301
(661) 322-7492 Phone
(661) 322-2738 Fax
