Aug 22, 2014 10:44 PM EDT By J Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

California lawmakers on Thursday approved legislation that would allow some community colleges in the state to start offering four-year degrees.

As soon as next year, 15 of California's community college districts "could launch bachelor's degree programs -- one per school -- that are not readily available at nearby public universities," San Jose Mercury News reported.

"In today's economy, many businesses require their employees to possess a four-year degree or higher skill sets than are offered through associate degree programs, even in fields such as dental hygiene or automotive technology where a two-year degree would have been sufficient in the past," California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice Harris said in a statement. "I applaud the Legislature for addressing California's urgent workforce needs."

The new legislation would allow the group of two-year colleges "to begin offering bachelor's degrees next year in a limited number of programs that have a high demand in the workforce, including dental hygiene," Inside Higher Ed reported. And it would make California one of more than 20 states that have enacted similar legislation.

"In cases where businesses, health care organizations and other industries now require a bachelor's degree at their entry level, it is imperative that community colleges step forward to ensure the competitiveness of our students," Constance M. Carroll, chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, said in a statement. "That is a win-win proposition for our students, for employers, and for the economy."

 Currently, only the University of California and the California State University systems can offer public four-year degrees. 

"This is landmark legislation that is a game changer for California's higher education system and our workforce preparedness," State Sen. Marty Block, D-San Diego, said in support of the bill. "SB 850 boosts the focus of our community colleges on job training now when California faces a major skills gap in our workforce."

These four-year degree Programs would begin no later than the 2017-18 academic year.

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