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Who We Are
The Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program (CRY-ROP) provides quality, hands-on career training programs in over 40 high-demand career fields to assist high school students and adults in acquiring marketable job skills. The ROP works in cooperation with local high schools, adult education and community colleges, providing a collaborative team of academic and ROP occupational teachers who integrate academic and vocational competencies to provide sequenced paths within career majors. High school students can explore career options and apply academic skills to practical problems, enabling them to prepare for the school-to-work or college transition. Adults who are entering or re-entering the workforce, or who wish to change careers or upgrade their current job skills also benefit from ROP courses. Support services are provided in the form of career guidance and special services for individuals with disabilities.
Organizational Structure
CRY-ROP was established in 1971 as part of a Joint Powers Agreement among the Colton Joint Unified, Redlands Unified and Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School Districts. CRY-ROP is a public agency of the State Department of Education and is part of a statewide network of 72 Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROC/Ps). established in 1967 which provides students with quality vocational training.
Similar to a school district, CRY-ROP is directed by a Superintendent and Governing Board. The Governing Board is composed of two primary representatives and one alternate from each of the three participating school districts. CRY-ROP employs approximately 100 teachers and staff.
Instructors come to the ROP with at least five years of business or industry experience in the field in which they are teaching. As with all teachers in the public school system, ROP instructors are credentialed by the State of California Commission of Teacher Credentialing.
Funding
The ROP receives apportionment funds from the State Department of Education based on student hours of attendance or Average Daily Attendance (ADA). In addition, the ROP receives a portion of the proceeds from the state lottery. CRY-ROP works in collaboration with the Employment Development Department and the Department of Rehabilitation and currently receives funding from several federal and state grants; including Carl Perkins and WorkAbility I.
Programs
ROP courses are offered to anyone 16 years of age or older regardless of race, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability. Course content is validated by local business advisory committees, reflecting current industry standards, and approved by the ROP's Governing Board. All ROP courses include instruction on employment seeking skills including how to fill out a job application, interview techniques and resume preparation.
Since its origination in 1971, CRY-ROP has served approximately 120,000 students. A follow-up study conducted in 1997 to determine success rate in job placement of students completing CRY-ROP courses indicates that 85% of the students who completed CRY-ROP courses went on to secure employment or pursued further education.
Business Partnerships
In compliance with the California Department of Education's mandates, each CRY-ROP program is supported by an Advisory Committee. These committees are comprised of business representatives from program-related fields who work with ROP staff to ensure that course curriculum meets business and industry standards and current labor market demands. Approximately 460 businesses are currently participating. In addition, over 200 businesses support CRY-ROP by offering their facilities as training sites for ROP students. Many businesses also donate equipment for student use.
