Public institutions of higher education are central to workforce development strategies.   In the case of community colleges, virtually all their students enroll to enhance their employment, either directly or by later transferring to four-year colleges.   Not all knowledge economy jobs require advanced degrees. Many of the jobs created from research and development in fields such as technology, biotechnology, and healthcare require preparation in the form of associate degrees and certificates that are provided by community colleges.  Additionally, community colleges have a strong record of responding quickly to local needs and can create new programs to meet the demand for “technical” education generated by job growth resulting from research and development.   

Such efforts to respond to workforce development needs must be based on labor market projections, and the efforts should be coordinated across campuses to avoid redundancy or omissions.  Based on such coordination, community colleges can more effectively invest in the programs, facilities, and faculty necessary to meet workforce needs.  A state level workforce development task force could work with community and state college presidents and deans, as well as industry, adult basic education, and community-based organizations to develop certificate and degree programs in high skill, high demand occupations.  Such an effort should recognize the existing structures that seek to fill this niche at a smaller scale, as well as the important distinctions and specializations between individual colleges and universities. 

9.a    The Department of Higher Education should establish a workforce development task force and coordinator focused on curriculum alignment

9.b    Workforce investment boards should expand their membership to include community college leaders

9.c    Major employers should establish “workforce pipeline partnerships” with community colleges

Add Comment