- CTE Department
- Architecture
- Artificial Intelligence
- Business
- Carpentry
- Commercial Music
- Computer Information Systems
- Construction Management
- Cosmetology
- Culinary Arts
- Data Science
- Electrical & Electronics
- Engineering
- Environmental Control Technology (HVAC&R)
- Graphic Arts
- Journalism
- Legal & Community Interpreting
- Machine Technology
- Media Communications
- Photography
- Welding Technology
- Wood Technology
Department Overview
Laney College is your gateway to a rewarding career! Many high-paying jobs don’t require a 4-year degree. With a 2-year technical degree or certificate from Laney, you’ll gain a portable credential ready for in-demand careers.
Our Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs stay current with industry trends, ensuring you learn cutting-edge skills from expert faculty with real-world experience.
Explore programs in Engineering, Construction, Business, Advanced Manufacturing, Green Technology, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, and more. Discover what Laney has to offer and connect with our dedicated faculty today!
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FAQs
What is Career and Technical Education?
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs prepare people of all ages and backgrounds to enter new careers with the skills needed for successful employment. CTE programs serve recent high school graduates, those re-entering the workforce, and those completing a bachelor's degree and now seeking career entry skills. CTE programs provide students with the opportunity to develop:
- Academic and technical skills needed in their selected industry
- Employability skills such as teamwork, customer relations, and self-management
- Stackable certificates to ensure that every course and credential count towards the completion of a degree.
What industries are part of Career and Technical Education programs?
CTE programs at Laney College embrace a wide range of industries in many challenging fields including Advanced Manufacturing, Building and Construction Trades, Business and Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Digital Media and Communications, and Hospitality. Because the global economy is constantly evolving, Laney CTE programs change with the times. Examples of CTE Departments and Programs offered at Laney College can be found to the right.
Where is Career and Technical Education offered?
Community colleges form the backbone of CTE education in the United States. Public high schools also introduce many career fields to aspiring students and create opportunities to transition from high school programs to post secondary education and training.
Laney's wide ranging CTE programs provide hands-on, project-based learning experiences with industry-specific technology, tools, and equipment. Short-term certificate programs as well as 2-year degree programs (many leading to 4- year degrees) are available. Laney College offers more than 55 CTE programs in nine top industry sectors. Start here and you can go virtually anywhere.
Do Career and Technical Education credits transfer?
Many CTE classes will transfer to a similar program in a 4-year institution, most notably in Architecture, Business, Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management. We strongly recommend that if students intend to transfer, they consult with their counselor prior to taking classes to determine which courses will transfer. Some CTE programs have state-wide articulations in place which allow students to transfer classes within the state to participating 2-year and 4-year intuitions.
Is Career and Technical Education a good option for high school students who do not wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree?
Yes! Many high paying careers do not require a bachelor's degree but do require rigorous post-secondary education. There is in fact a growing shortage of skilled technical workers, and this shortage is increasing. These skilled technical jobs cannot be taken offshore or automated out.
Why should I consider Career and Technical Education?
Career and Technical Education prepares students for high wage and high demand careers. In an ever-changing job market, CTE graduates enter the workforce having comprehensive skills and the ability to be innovative critical thinkers.CTE programs rely on industry input through Advisory Committees, thus, giving our programs access to current and competitive insight. This results in connecting local employers to local talent, who have been trained according to their input.
Laney CTE programs are the perfect fit for those seeking a dynamic learning environment with top instructors, innovative curriculum and state-of-the-art equipment. We partner directly with employers looking for skilled workers in these 9 top industries:
- Building & Construction Trades
- Business & Entrepreneurship
- Digital Media & Communications
- Engineering, Design & Production
- Healthcare & Bioscience
- Hospitality, Retail, & Tourism
- Information & Communication Technology
- Personal Services
- Public Service & Lab
Division of Career & Technical Education
Email: laney-cte@peralta.edu
Dean
Alejandria Tomas
Email: atomas@peralta.edu
Phone: (510) 464-3218
Senior Staff Assistant Specialist
Fang (Alisa) Huang
Email: fhuang@peralta.edu
Phone: (510) 464-3250
Staff Assistant
Bolortuya (Crystal) Baasanjav
Email: bbassanjav@peralta.edu
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Build A Green Future at Laney College!
As we move through the 21st century, sustainable building practices become more urgent every day. From waste management and transportation, to energy sources and construction materials, our cities and communities need resourceful and healthier solutions for people and the planet.
Explore Laney’s green building programs in this video and on this page.
CTE Mailing List
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Architecture
The Architectural Department offers vocational and paraprofessional programs in architectural technology as well as preparation for transfer to four- and five-year architecture programs. The curriculum provides necessary skills for employment in the design and construction fields.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning are the future of tech. These technologies are already being used to revolutionize a wide variety of industries, from healthcare to finance to retail. As AI and ML continue to evolve, the demand for skilled professionals in these fields will only increase
Business
The Business Department offers a wide variety of courses for students planning to develop business skills for immediate employment, upgrade their knowledge and skills in specific occupational areas and transfer to four-year institutions with a major in the field of business.
Carpentry
The Carpentry Department equips students with skills for careers as carpenters or general contractors. Open to beginners and experienced workers, the program combines on-campus classes with hands-on experience at work sites. Students build new homes, renovate existing ones, and focus on green, sustainable methods to support low- and middle-income families.
Commercial Music
The Commercial Music Program prepares students for entry- to mid-level roles in all areas of the music industry. Whether performing, producing, managing live sound, or pursuing careers in music publishing, retail, teaching, or research, students gain essential skills, including music theory, history, copyright law, and more.
Computer Information Systems (CIS)
The Computer Information Systems (CIS) Department equips students with computer skills for employment and technical knowledge for transfer to four-year institutions. Courses include programming, software, and systems design, with options transferable to UCs and CSUs and focused on high-demand fields.
Construction Management
Construction Management provides students, who work in or plan to enter management of residential projects and commercial projects, with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment. Emphasis is placed on inspection, estimating, scheduling, legal, and business aspects of construction.
Cosmetology
Our Cosmetology Program prepares students in all phases of cosmetology. The program consists of 1600 hours of training in theoretical foundations, manipulative skills, business knowledge, professional and ethical practices and prepares students for licensure examination through the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
Culinary Arts
The Culinary Arts department offers certificates in Baking & Pastry and Restaurant Management, preparing students for diverse careers in the industry. Programs include pre-employment courses, hands-on experience, skill workshops, and classes approved by the Retail Bakers Association (RBA) and National Restaurant Association (NRA).
Data Science
The Data Science program prepares students for careers as data analyst, data scientist, machine learning engineers, business analyst, computer systems analyst, logistics analyst, marketing analyst, and database managers. The multidisciplinary program provides the analytical, methodological, and programming skills required in data processing, information technology, business, and computing.
Electricity & Electronics
The Electricity & Electronics program provides essential knowledge and practical skills for careers in telecommunications, electronics, biosciences, construction, manufacturing, engineering, and transportation—fields driven by 21st-century technology.
Engineering
Our Engineering department offers the lower division engineering major preparation courses for transfer in good standing to colleges and universities across California and the U.S. Engineering involves the application of scientific and mathematical principles to solve practical technical problems. In addition to the engineering courses, the preparation typically includes coursework in the sciences and mathematics.
Environmental Control Technology
Environmental Control Technology is a technical program offering the theoretical, technical, and problem-solving skills essential for employment in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry. Students completing the suggested curriculum can seek employment as refrigeration technicians, heating, ventilation, air conditioning technicians, and building engineers and technicians.
Graphic Arts
Our Graphic Arts department provides a first-tier education in Graphic Arts at an affordable rate. The diversity of the multi-generational and multicultural population of students and faculty provides a unique learning experience. We teach graphic design and new-media skills using the latest software used in the print and online media industries.
Journalism
Offering practical news experience and academic preparation for students entering the workforce or seeking transfer to four-year institutions. Our journalism students embrace multimedia as an essential part of storytelling.
Legal & Community Interpreting
Our Legal and Community Interpreting curriculum is designed to prepare students who are proficient in English and Spanish for careers in legal and community interpretation. Additionally, the program will enhance the skill sets of working interpreters who want to improve their interpreting and knowledge of terminology and development of new skills.
Machine Technology
Our Machine Technology program is designed both for entry-level students and experienced craftspeople wanting to upgrade their skills. The up-to-date curriculum provides the current theoretical, technological and practical experience necessary for employment and advancement in the industry.
Media Communications
Our Media Communications program offers courses in HD and 4K video production, broadcasting, and post-production for digital video, film, radio and the broadcast arts. There are two major degrees and five certificates which offer entry into the industry or transfer to a four-year institution. The courses cover the gamut of authoring, producing, and editing creative content for the continually evolving communications technologies.
Photography
Our Photography Department provides students with the necessary basic knowledge, technical and aesthetic skills for employment in various occupations in photography. Preparation for employment in commercial, industrial, technical, and scientific fields are emphasized. Intermediate and advanced classes include both film and digital applications.
Welding Technology
Our Welding Technology program introduces students to both the theoretical and manipulative skills necessary to perform in a broad range of welding careers. Students practice several different types of manual welding and learn the technical and scientific aspects of the welding process.
Wood Technology
The Wood Technology program trains students in woodworking, offering access to a top-tier shop in Northern California. Students gain skills for careers in custom furniture, cabinetry, millwork, and more, with flexible, individualized instruction to match their pace and interests.
Laney Summer Institute (LSI)
The Career Education Division at Laney College (Oakland) offers career exploration programs for interested high school students in the Bay Area.
The programs are 6 weeks long and are focused on informing students about different career pathways through fun hands-on activities. We have “priority” programs for high school students, as well as regularly-scheduled introductory classes.