Did you know… the Technology Division was one of the six original divisions at OCC? The College Catalog of 1948 listed these programs and divisions at OCC:  

a close-up of a paper with text on it

                                                           

Since the inception of OCC, technical programs have been integral to supporting local businesses in Orange County and targeted students for good-paying jobs requiring skills beyond high school. Imagine Orange County in 1948 with all the GIs returning from service in World War II and the rapid expansion of California's population. OCC responded to the needs of the local community's jobs by offering programs in the automotive field, construction trades for the rapid housing expansion of suburbs in the county, the petroleum industry near the college, trades involving welding and metalworking, and the local agriculture and dairy farms. 

It is impressive to see the current state of technology OCC offers in 2023 as the college has kept up with local demands that have modified these industries. Surprisingly, one field OCC has today that was not part of the original group of programs is Aviation. 

In 1968, twenty years after OCC started from a World War II Army Aviation training site, OCC began programs in Aviation Maintenance, Pilot Training, and Airline Travel support. Among the reasons for this late start was: 

  • Golden West College opened in 1966. OCC's automotive programs were among GWC's occupational program offerings, which transferred to the new college. This change left facilities at OCC, although somewhat dated, that were suitable for airplane engine and airframe maintenance. 
  • The community needed OCC to support the local growing public air travel, including the development of "Orange County Airport" (John Wayne Airport) from a small private airport to a commercial airport around 1964. The original runway at JWA had existed since 1923 as one of the nation's oldest flying schools (Martin Aviation), but with the advent of World War II, the US took control of the area in 1942. The old runway became part of the Army Airbase that would later be sectioned off for land for OCC. 
  • After GWC opened, the curriculum soon developed with local industry support and the FAA, and by 1968, OCC offered Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) curriculum. 

Today, AMT is a thriving program. It is the only program of its type in Orange County. Due to the closure of the Long Beach City College program a few years ago, OCC has the only regional program. 

a group of people looking at a plane engine

 

Comments are welcome kballinger.r@retiree.cccd.edu