Occupational Safety and Health
Mission
This program is geared toward providing training and education in various aspects in the industries of occupational safety and health (Oil and Gas, Energy, Construction, Manufacturing, etc.). It is ideal for those wishing to learn more about California Occupational Health Safety Health (Cal/OSHA) policies, expectations, and requirements.
The program is also ideal for health and safety officers at places of business and industry, safety trainers and teachers, operations managers and supervisors, field staff, etc.
Upon the successful completion of program requirements, students may earn an:
- Associate in Science Degree in Occupational Safety and Health
- Occupational Safety and Health Basic Employee Safety in General Industry Certificate (local certificate)
- Occupational Safety and Health Midlevel Certificate of Achievement (local certificate)
Some of the courses in this program are offered exclusively at the WESTEC facility in Shafter, California, and surrounding Kern County areas. Additional information is available at http://westec.org/. Please note, this link takes you to an external page.
Earnings Potential
There are careers in a range of fields, with varied earning potential based on education levels and/or on-the-job experience. Here are a few examples: the median annual wage for occupational health and safety specialists is $77,560 and $51,120 for occupational health and safety technicians, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2021). They project employment in these fields to grow five percent from 2021 to 2031. For other careers that typically require a minimum of a four-year degree, the median annual wage for health and safety engineers is $99,040; and $103,150 for industrial production managers, with projected job growth over the decade of four and three percent, respectively.1
For more on career options and earnings potential, link to Associate in Science Degree in Occupational Safety and Health.
1 “Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 8 Sept. 2022. www.bls.gov/ooh. Accessed 19 April 2023.
Contact Us
Taft College Switchboard
661-763-7700
Kristi Richards — Career Technical Facilitator-Counselor
661-763-7813
Joe'll Chaidez — Career Technical Education Counselor
661-763-7962
Email: CareerReady@taftcollege.edu