West Hills College Lemoore offers computer programming class to prepare for careers

 “The academy format is designed to get students skills and knowledge that they need for a specific occupation and then support them in finding employment once they complete the academy,” said James Preston, Dean of Educational Services at WHCL. “The programming skills can be useful for traditional community college students, but also great for small business owners, university students in a different major who want to learn how to build websites, high school students who are interested in the career field, or anyone who wants to add programming to their skill set.”

 The rigorous series of classes will teach students the essentials of computer programming and focus on making them competitive for jobs in the technology industry upon the completion of the academy.

 Students will start by learning about several programming languages, including HTML, CSS, Java Script, and Java. They will learn how to build and design websites and gain a unique understanding of software applications and programs. Students who take this course will also receive their textbook for free. The academy is funded by a grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office as part of their Doing What Matters statewide initiative.

 “We have dynamic instructors who will provide them with a hands-on experience that will prepare them for the workforce and then we will help them to find a job,” Preston said.

 Students who complete the course will receive a certificate and will have earned 12-15 units of college credit.

 During the second semester, the college will also work with students to place them in internships or paid positions in the field.

 This is the first in a series of career technical education academies. This academy will also be offered at West Hills College Coalinga during the spring semester, which begins in January.

 For more information about this academy, visit westhillscollege.com/lemoore or contact David-Michael Rengh at (559) 925-3655 or davidrengh@whccd.edu.