Columbia College has received formal notification of the intent to award, pending Board of Governor’s approval and available funds commencing on Jan. 18, 2018, a two-year grant to develop a new Fire Science Pre-Apprenticeship Initiative program. The college will receive $496,804 over two years to implement the Initiative, recruit students, and launch the training with partner agencies. The award, announced by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) Workforce and Development Division, is part of the new California Apprenticeship Initiative aimed at broadening the range of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available to California workers.