Just one month after Bakersfield College applied for the four-year degree program, came word it will happen.
Students will be able to get a degree in industrial automation, a field that teaches students how to run distribution mechanisms used in major corporations. Something that can put a lot of people to work in Kern County.
B.C. Dean of Instruction, Liz Rozell said, "typically there are over 200 openings annually in Kern County's oil, agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics industries for these types of positions with a median income of $85,000."
Liz Rozell said the degree will cost no more than $10,000 which is less than half the cost of CSU Bakersfield and a quarter of the cost of a degree from UCLA.
She said this new program will have no bearing on the college's normal course fees.
So when can you start enrolling?
Liz Rozell said, "in Fall 2015 we still have our freshmen and sophomore classes available, so students can get into the program right away. But the junior level classes will be offered in Fall 2016, senior level classes will be starting in Fall 2017 and then is Spring of 2018 we will have our first graduating class."