News Summary
The South Orange County Community College District has introduced new culinary and automotive programs at the Advanced Technology and Education Park in Tustin. The facility, known as Saddleback@ATEP, spans 50,000 square feet and aims to enhance workforce readiness for local employers. With dedicated spaces for both culinary arts and automotive technology, the programs will offer various pathways for students and feature partnerships with local businesses for practical experience. The grand opening event attracted over 350 attendees, highlighting the community’s engagement in educational opportunities.
Tustin, California – The South Orange County Community College District has launched new culinary and automotive programs at the Advanced Technology and Education Park (ATEP), aimed at bolstering workforce readiness for local employers. Located on the former Marine Corps Air Station in Tustin, the ATEP spans 61.4 acres of land within Tustin Legacy, a broader 1,606-acre development that includes parks, housing, schools, and research facilities. The grand opening of the new facility, known as Saddleback@ATEP, took place on August 11, 2025, attracting over 350 attendees.
The new facility encompasses a total of 50,000 square feet dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities in the culinary arts and advanced automotive fields. The site is strategically positioned near various commercial businesses, facilitating collaboration that will prepare students to meet the demands of local employers.
Automotive Technology Facilities
The automotive technology portion of ATEP includes a comprehensive building featuring 30,000 square feet, which houses 14 lift bays and seven state-of-the-art classroom labs. These specialized training spaces are designed for various automotive skills, such as engine-part cleaning, transmission repair, and automated driving system calibration. The program can accommodate up to 1,000 students and offers 13 pathways for specialization, including alternative fuel vehicle technology and training for a commercial learner’s permit.
Culinary Arts Facilities
The culinary arts segment features a 20,000 square foot facility equipped with four commercial kitchens, including a bakery and a teaching restaurant that seats 70 guests. This program can host up to 800 students with nine distinct pathways available, covering topics from food science to hospitality management. In addition to the indoor facilities, an outdoor courtyard with fruit trees and raised-bed gardens will be maintained by culinary students, allowing for practical farm-to-table learning experiences.
Partnerships and Student Opportunities
In an effort to enhance job opportunities for students, Saddleback College has established partnerships with local hotels and restaurants that will facilitate apprenticeship programs. These initiatives emphasize the importance of integrating work-based learning into the curriculum for both the automotive and culinary programs, ensuring students can acquire practical experience. The automotive technology program is particularly well-equipped to address both traditional and modern automotive technologies, preparing graduates for a rapidly evolving industry.
Community Engagement
The opening event included self-guided tours of the new facilities, showcasing the resources available to prospective students and community members. The South Orange County Community College District is committed to fostering community engagement around the ATEP and is focused on providing educational programs that cater to the needs of the local economy. More information regarding classes, pathways, and enrollment can be accessed on the Saddleback College website.
As the ATEP initiative progresses, it aims to not only contribute to the education of students seeking careers in culinary arts and automotive technology but also to enhance the community by creating a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of local businesses.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: Tustin Unified Launches into Learning for New School Year
- Wikipedia: Tustin, California
- LAist: Tustin Unified Measure J Bond for School Facilities
- Google Search: Tustin California
- Sacramento Bee: California News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tustin
- New York Post: Tustin Unified School Employee Arrested
- Google News: Tustin Unified
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MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
