The California Community Colleges play an important role in boosting the state's economy by serving more than 2.3 million students a year. In fact, one out of three community college students in the U.S. is enrolled in a California community college, making it the nation's largest system of higher education. Their 112 colleges provide students with the knowledge and background necessary in today's competitive job market. With a wide range of educational offerings, the colleges provide workforce training, basic skills courses in English and math, certificate and degree programs and preparation for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. In a difficult economy, a college education is critical. Their campuses also serve as a natural gateway for veterans seeking a degree or job skills to transition to civilian life. This brief report describes how California Community Colleges: (1) fuel California's workforce; (2) provide high return on college education for students and for California; (3) address California's need for college-educated workers; (4) partner with businesses to provide training and specialized internships; and (5) award degrees and certificates in high-demand, high-wage and high-tech fields.