Ventura College has a new Dean of Career and Technical Training.

Dr. Robert Taylor takes the helm of the program that oversees automotive, technical, and electrical training for vocations that are high in demand for certified employees.

Taylor spent many years as an instructor in the technical fields with an emphasis in electrical education.

Taylor started in Detroit, where he owned a custom car shop. He entered higher education teaching Industrial Technology at Umpqa Community College in Roseburg, Oreg., before moving to California as the Dean of Instruction at Merced Community College for a year.

“What we’re looking at for a vision is to restructure training for jobs that are currently available now and will be available in the future,” Taylor said.

The program offers hands on training in the welding, automotive, electrical, and technical fields.

“California has a new electrical grid and will always need employees who are certified to work with new technology,” Taylor said. “We will be adding a job placement component where students will have a job as soon as you graduate.”

With the push to use alternative energy on a national level, Taylor adds, “Alternative Energy always requires someone with an electrical background. We will be adding some programs. Although it is a little difficult with the California budget crises, there is plenty of opportunity in the electric and technical fields.”