Contra Costa College is proud to launch the Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Pathway (CEDAP), a groundbreaking new program that offers students a supported, debt-free route into high-demand infrastructure careers. The program officially kicked off on July 7 with an on-campus celebration that welcomed the first 20-student cohort into the new five-year pathway.
CEDAP is designed to open doors in civil and transportation engineering. Funded by a $5 million federal grant, this initiative is a partnership between CCC, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC), Growth Sector, Caltrans, and other regional employers and universities.
A Hands-On Kickoff Event
Held in CCC’s planetarium, the kickoff event featured an overview of the CEDAP model by Growth Sector, along with student introductions and a robotics coding demo showcasing skills developed during the Summer Transition to College Bridge program. That bridge experience is the students’ first step in building strong foundations in STEM as they prepare for the road ahead.
CCC faculty Mark Wong (Engineering & Physics) and Max Rivera (Math), who are teaching the cohort this summer, joined the celebration alongside representatives from Caltrans, MESA, WDBCCC, and WDBCCC Program Managers Yelena Miakinina and Noramah Burch. WDBCCC Executive Director Tamia Brown was also in attendance to welcome students and celebrate this transformative opportunity.
According to Dean of STEM René Sporer, the early momentum is already showing results. “It’s a pretty cool program and we’re lucky to have it,” she said. “We’ve had a very successful start.”
CCC is currently enrolling CEDAP students in their fall math and engineering courses, where they’ll continue to progress together as a cohort—a model designed to promote academic success and peer support.
To ensure every student stays on track, Growth Sector has hired a full-time Student Support Specialist, Gina Ziyad, who will provide wraparound guidance throughout the students’ time at CCC. Gabe Hanzel-Sello, CCC’s key Growth Sector partner, will continue leading program coordination and partnership development as the CEDAP initiative scales.
What CEDAP Offers
- A cohort-based learning model grounded in collaboration, equity, and community
- Embedded academic and counseling support
- Paid internships and pathways to apprenticeships as Engineering Aides
- Strong connections to transfer opportunities and bachelor’s degrees
- Over 40 internship placements available through local employers and university research teams
CCC’s Role in Growing California’s Infrastructure Workforce
As one of 11 California community colleges selected to scale this model, CCC is helping shape the next generation of infrastructure professionals—those who will design and maintain the systems that connect and sustain our communities. With civil engineering roles in high demand, especially across transportation, environmental, and public works sectors, CEDAP positions students for success in a field where their work will make lasting impact.
Want to learn more?
Visit our Science, Technology Engineering + Math page or connect with our CEDAP team at ymiakinina@ehsd.cccounty.us to explore your path.