When Southern California Edison President John Fielder addressed a few hundred Ventura County business leaders on Nov. 15, he was quick to point out why his company was investing $300,000 in a new program at CSU Channel Islands.

The Henry L. “Hank” Lacayo Center for Workplace & Community Studies will foster entrepreneurship to drive future economic growth and train California State University students for new jobs, including jobs in green energy and clean technology.

“We’re hiring 1,500 people a year,” Fielder said, adding that he wanted to see CSU graduates “at the top of the list.”

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