Abstract
This chapter addresses the modern trend in community colleges and their evolving mission to serve as one of the significant contributors to workforce development in our nation. There are many challenges community colleges face today. One of those challenges is to be one of the main suppliers of skilled professionals for the workforce. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the role of community colleges, their mission, and how they will develop programs to train people with the necessary skills to meet the demands of the workforce. For community colleges to achieve that goal, they have to go from adding and/or restructuring curricula to making sure they have the right personnel to teach special and high tech courses that will prepare students with the right skill set and knowledge to join the workforce after getting their degree, diploma, or certification at the community college.
TopBackground
The role of community colleges has changed dramatically over time. Community colleges not only have restructured their curricula but also are offering students a variety of more technically oriented courses with real-world application. Community colleges no longer offer only Associate's degrees for recent young and older adult high school graduates who want to pursue a higher degree in higher education (Holzer & Nightingale, 2009). These colleges also focus on remedial education policy and preparation for middle-skill jobs in the workforce. Middle-skill jobs are jobs requiring additional education or training beyond high school but less education than a bachelor's degree (Orr & Biu, 2017). Some middle occupations are Carpenters, Medical Secretaries, Physical Therapist Aides, Massage Therapist, Dental Hygienist etc.
Similarly, community colleges and workforce development providers face the ongoing challenge of aligning their training efforts with the skills employers demand most (Orr & Biu, 2017). Employers are becoming more demanding and are requiring skilled workers with more technical and practical skill sets. There is a shortage of middle-skill workers because there are more middle-skill jobs than middle-skill workers (Iowa Workforce Development, 2015).
There is a growing demand for more specific skills to perform a job. Therefore, businesses are becoming increasingly reluctant to hire young people who have only a high school degree. The demand for middle-skill workers is expected to grow in the third decade of the 21st century, and supply may not meet the demand. As a result, U.S. community colleges need to prepare students to qualify as technical workers. Because community colleges have become a significant resource for U.S. workforce development (Jacobs & Worth, 2019), these institutions are positioned to prepare students as the labor market continues to change. Community colleges provide a unique model to serve the community. They offer an accessible education to recent high school graduates and workers seeking a specific credential, either in the short term or long term.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Technical: The word technical is associated with any special training, including the use of different types of machinery, devices, software, or computer programs.
Partnership: A partnership refers to the connection formed between community colleges and local businesses and industries.
Credential: A credential is a type of degree or diploma that has met the requirement to be accepted as an educational qualification.
Community College: A community college is an institution in the United States accredited to award an Associate's degree in arts, science, general studies, or applied science.
Stackable Certificates: Stackable certificates are credentials/specialized skills that can be accumulated while in college to help individuals to align a better career path and better job opportunities.
Skilled Worker: A skilled worker is an individual who has received specific training.
Apprenticeship Program: An apprenticeship program is a program that allows students to acquire career experience while taking regular classes.