Taft College
Form to Establish the Need for a Substantive Change Review
This document shall serve as "Step One" in establishing the need for a substantive change
review at Taft College by formally communicating to the Commission's substantive change staff
the following information: (1) a description of the proposed change; (2) the need for the
change, and (3) the anticipated effects of the change.
Title of the Proposed Change
Description of the Proposed Change
Need for the Proposed Change
Anticipated Effects of the Change
Automotive Technology Program Discontinuation
In August of 2011, after much discussion with the Administration, the Applied Technology Division
decided to recommend Inactivation of the Automotive Technology Program and set a step by step time
frame ending with submission to the Chancellor’s Office in November of 2011.
Inactivation of the program was based on the following rationale:
A. There is not a significant industry presence in automotive in the community/region.
B. Taft College lacks the resources to support this program in the following areas: Adequate facilities;
Adequate and up-to-date equipment and materials; Services of a full-time instructor.
C. The number of degrees and certificates issued appear to be low (6 associate in science degrees
issued between 2002 and 2010, 26 certificate of achievements issued between 2002 and 2010)
D. General Maintenance and Upkeep Costs estimated at around $20,000 per year
E. Furthermore, the number of job openings in this field is limited in Kern County. While on average the
number of automotive service technician job openings in California is over 1,900; in Kern County it is
estimated at 46 annually (California Labor Market, 2010).
The anticipated effects of the change will be minimal at this point in time; the few students who were
enrolled in the program were accommodated and no further enrollments occurred after spring 2012.
Consequently, the impact on the local community will be minimal.The impact on the larger community,
including the Bakersfield area from which many Taft College students are drawn, will be such that
students desiring a certificate or degree in Automotive Technology will have to enroll in other local area
colleges, including Bakersfield College which offers at least nine Automotive Program certificates or
degrees.
