Southwestern College Receives Global Trade and Logistics Grant
Southwestern College has been awarded a Sector Navigator grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to promote and enhance global trade and logistics. Southwestern College will receive $300,000 to connect all community colleges in the region with businesses to promote success and create in-demand career pathways.
Victor Castillo, director of the Center for International Trade Development (CITD), has been chosen as the deputy sector navigator for the grant. Castillo will use the grant to further curriculum and training in exports, all while improving the economy through trade. His previous efforts to increase U.S. exports and local economies have proven incredibly successful earning the CITD a Presidential “E” Award from President Obama.
Castillo’s main objective is to act as a workforce system integrator, identifying gaps and connecting needs and resources in the region while collaborating regionally with community colleges and high schools to develop effective partnerships.
Superintendent/President Dr. Melinda Nish said she is excited with such a fantastic investment into education and the local economy.
“With this grant we simultaneously create student opportunities while helping the local economy,” she said. “The Center for International Trade and Development has had tremendous success with increasing trade and advancing curriculum, this grant keeps their momentum going.”
Van Ton-Quinlivan, vice chancellor of workforce and economic development at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, said these grants are a milestone for improving our local and state economies.
“Through these grants, we are identifying talent on the ground who can work with colleges and their partners to align and articulate curriculum consistent with labor market demands,” Ton-Quinlivan said. “While a skill gap may be difficult to address in silos, we will find more solutions when we bring forth the collective regional capacity.”
Castillo and his team will use this grant to address gaps in workforce by developing career pathways, connecting programs and employers as well as developing seminars, training and internships.
The global trade and logistics grant was one of 10 grants funded to the San Diego and Imperial Counties Community College Association, of which Southwestern College is a member.
