SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – As San Luis Obispo County experiences urgent workforce shortages in healthcare and skilled trades, Cuesta College is providing targeted solutions. On Dec. 11–12, the college hosted ceremonies honoring graduates from its Accelerated Registered Nursing (RN), Medical Assisting, and Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) programs. These graduates are ready to enter vital, high-demand careers that support the region's health, safety, and economic prosperity.
Data from the San Luis Obispo County Workforce Development Board indicates that, by 2034, an estimated 953 registered nurse positions and 941 medical assistant positions will need to be filled. These numbers account for retirements, career transitions, and newly created roles. To address this urgent demand, Cuesta College offers accelerated, career-focused programs that quickly prepare skilled professionals for the workforce.
On Thursday, Dec. 11, healthcare celebrations began as 14 students received their Medical Assistant certificates during a pinning ceremony, recognizing completion of their 18 weeks of intensive clinical and administrative training. The Cuesta College Medical Assistant program prepares students for in-demand roles supporting physicians, nurses, and patients in diverse healthcare settings. Medical Assistant students attend classes and clinicals for only one semester, providing an accessible, fast pathway that helps fill urgent workforce gaps in our community.
“Medical assistants are essential to the daily operation of healthcare facilities,” said Beth Johnson, associate dean of nursing and allied health. “Our graduates are compassionate, skilled, and ready to make an immediate difference.”
Continuing the festivities, on Dec. 12, a pinning ceremony on the San Luis Obispo campus honored 17 students from the Accelerated RN (LVN to RN) Cohort 2025 as they transitioned from licensed vocational nurses to registered nurses. This accelerated program spans one year, divided into three consecutive semesters, enabling licensed LVNs to earn an Associate of Science in Nursing within 12 months, helping to address the region's ongoing nursing shortage.
“This program is about impact,” said Johnson. “By accelerating the pathway from LVN to RN, we are helping experienced nurses advance their careers while meeting a critical need in our local healthcare system.”
On Friday, Dec. 12, Cuesta College recognized the second cohort of 20 graduates of the Aviation Maintenance Technician Program at a completion ceremony in the college's AMT Hangar in San Luis Obispo. The certificate program takes 18 months to complete and prepares students for careers in aircraft maintenance and servicing. It is one of just 20 AMT schools in California approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.
“The AMT program helped me reach my career goals by giving me the skills, training, and certifications needed to become an aircraft mechanic,” said Chance Foster, Cuesta College AMT student and recent graduate. “It’s something I’m proud of because I see it as one of the highest levels you can reach in the mechanical field. The hands-on experience and knowledge I gained gave me a strong foundation to start my career in aviation.”
“The Aviation Maintenance Technician Program is a powerful example of how education and industry partnership come together to meet real workforce needs,” said Dr. Aubrey Priest, dean of instruction for skilled trades and technology and nursing and allied health. “Our graduates are stepping into high-skill careers that support regional aviation, transportation, and economic growth.”
The AMT Program is made possible through a public-private partnership with ACI Jet, the County of San Luis Obispo, and the U.S. Department of Education.
Together, the three ceremonies highlighted Cuesta College’s workforce leadership on the Central Coast, preparing students to graduate, and to serve, lead, and strengthen the community.
PHOTO: Graduates of Cuesta College’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Program celebrate during the AMT Completion Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 12, at the Cuesta College AMT Hangar in San Luis Obispo. The 18-month, FAA-approved certificate program prepares students with the hands-on skills and technical training needed to pursue in-demand careers in the aviation industry.