Greetings‚
The Shasta College STEP-UP program is not just another educational initiative; it’s a testament to the transformative impact of education and opportunity. This program has experienced remarkable growth‚ with over 80 students participating this year‚ a sign that they are rapidly returning to pre-pandemic enrollment levels. During a recent tour of the program attended by Assembly and Senate staff‚ we learned about Shasta College’s logging programs‚ which is one of many paths STEP-UP students might take upon entering the program.
The Shasta College logging program (HELO) offers a unique 16-unit course that condenses what was originally a two-semester program with 200 operating hours into a single semester with 400 operating hours. The program’s primary goal is to prepare students for the workforce. Students in the program have the opportunity to work with essential logging equipment‚ including hot saws and skidders‚ which are essential for operations in the logging industry. This hands-on experience is invaluable‚ as many industry professionals don’t have access to equipment like hot saws until well into their careers.
To stay aligned with current industry trends‚ the program has moved processors from landing areas into the woods. This ensures that students receive the most up-to-date training and are well-prepared to enter the workforce successfully. Students learn the intricacies of sorting wood by size and species‚ knowledge that equips them for a variety of roles in the industry. Entry-level positions can offer competitive salaries‚ starting at $18 an hour‚ with opportunities for rapid advancement to $20-$25 an hour. The program emphasizes that these roles often involve 10-hour days‚ which provides an opportunity for overtime pay. Remarkably‚ the program has seen a lot of success with female students‚ who tend to pick up the skills quickly and operate smoothly. In addition to diversifying the field‚ “you’re now accessing 50% of the population that you weren’t accessing before‚” said Director of Forest Health‚ Becky Roe.
The program uses Sierra Pacific Land for its operations‚ and in a smart sustainability move‚ Sierra Pacific buys products back from the program. This not only helps support the program financially but also creates a sustainable cycle. Other funding streams for the program include grants from Cal Fire and the federal EDA Good Jobs Challenge. Students participating in the program can qualify for financial aid and access on-campus dorms. Additionally‚ the program offers wraparound services‚ including “the hub‚” which provides funds for essentials‚ mental health support‚ and more‚ ensuring nothing stands in the way of a student’s education.
For students who want to further their education and career‚ the CRAFT apprenticeship program offers on-the-job training. This 18-month program allows students to work full-time while earning a livable wage‚ providing a smooth transition from the Shasta College program to a successful career in logging. As it continues to grow and adapt to industry trends‚ this program promises to make an enduring impact on the lives of its students and the logging industry as a whole.
Assemblywoman Megan Dahle
| Bridgeport Harvest Dinner An evening amongst friends and community celebrating the inaugural Bridgeport Harvest Dinner hosted by Sierra Gold Park Foundation and California State Parks‚ with special welcoming thoughts by former Nevada County Supervisor and champion of the historic Bridgeport Covered Bridge‚ Hank Weston. The event brought together the work and passions of a variety of organizations including‚ the Nevada County Arts Council‚ County of Nevada‚ and Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe. The 150 plus year old structure held the event with the inscription that reads‚ “Built in 1862 by David J. Wood with lumber from his mill in Sierra County”. The covered bridge was part of the Virginia Turnpike Company toll road that served the northern mines and the Nevada Comstock Lode. The associated ranch and resources for rest and repair provided a necessary lifeline across the Sierra Nevada. Utilizing a unique combination of truss and arch construction‚ Bridgeport Covered Bridge is one of the oldest housed spans in the western United States and the longest single span wooden covered bridge in the world. See more photos from the event on my Facebook page here. |
| City of Anderson Free Dump Day‚ 10/21 Caltrans‚ in partnership with the City of Anderson‚ will pay dump fees for eligible items at the Shasta District Fairground from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. or until capacity is reached. This is a great opportunity to get rid of unwanted items and declutter your home. Please note that this event is only available to Anderson residents and certain limitations apply. Caltrans is working hard to fulfill their part in the Clean California initiative by holding dump day events in order to reduce illegal dumping in District 2 and keep roadways free of trash. The Clean California initiative is part of the Governor’s $1.1 Billion initiative to expand state and local litter abatement efforts and provide thousands of job opportunities. It consists of four key action components: engagement and community investment‚ education‚ litter pick-up expansion‚ and infrastructure enhancements. As part of the litter pick-up expansion component‚ Caltrans is proposing the “Free Dump Day Events” where the public can dispose of their waste materials safely and properly for free. Visit the program website to learn more about how Clean California is transforming communities. |
| PG&E Rate Increase & Assistance Opportunities I am reaching out to let you know about PG&E’s proposal to increase rates by roughly $40/month‚ which totals nearly $500 per year for their customers. This comes as PG&E submitted their “General Rate Case” application‚ which is required every four years by the CA Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). While Californians are struggling with rising prices across the state‚ I know an increase like this could be enough to break the bank for those who are already struggling with monthly expenses. I wanted to take a moment to provide you with information regarding this update and give you resources that might help lower your energy prices. You can read about the reasons behind the PG&E rate increase proposal here: updatedfaq-pge-grc-10423.pdf (ca.gov) Most importantly‚ If you are a PG&E customer‚ you can let your voice be heard by visiting: Proceeding Details (ca.gov) & selecting “Add Public Comment.” I highly encourage you to reach out and give your thoughts on this rate increase proposal and ensure PG&E understands how such an increase could affect individuals as our state grapples with out-of-control prices across the board. As rising utility costs impact the livelihoods of families across our state‚ below are resources and tips to keep your home’s energy costs down. The California Public Utilities Commission has generously provided these resources to be utilized by households all around our state:
Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have. |
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Assemblywoman Dahle is Honored to Serve
Alpine County‚ Amador County‚ El Dorado County‚ Lassen County‚ Modoc County‚ Nevada County‚ Placer County‚ Plumas County‚ Shasta County‚ Sierra County‚ & Siskiyou County.
