Bakersfield College will get a $1.5 million chunk of a $9.5 million state grant to improve programs that help high school students get into college and find jobs after graduation.

BC spokeswoman Amber Chiang says the money will be put toward existing career pathway courses.

“(It’s) pathway creation for students starting in the 9th grade – it gets them through high school, through college, possibly onto a bachelor’s degree, and then into a really good career here locally,” she said.

Chiang says BC’s share of the money, which is earmarked for the Kern Community College District, will also go toward dual-enrollment programs, where high school students earn college credit.

– Anthony Pollreisz