The need for workers in two of Alabama’s fastest-growing industries is being met with specialized, nationally recognized training at Alabama’s community colleges that prepare both students and the state for growth, even before the student obtains an associate degree. Several community colleges in Alabama are steadily training residents across several construction and manufacturing trades through […]
Skills Gap Articles
Apprenticeships benefit student, company
Central Community College (CCC) Apprenticeship Director Catrina Gray has spent the last two years being a bit of an apprentice herself. Since accepting the position in November 2020, she has been learning the ins and outs of the program she now oversees. “They (the college) had an idea of what they wanted the program to […]
Developing closer partnerships with business, industry
Cathy Wilhm’s schedule was jammed, but she wasn’t complaining. “We are here to educate and train students for the workforce, and we can’t do that really well without getting good information from the people who will employ them,” she says. “So that is our focus, and we take any opportunity we can get.” Her schedule […]
Partnering with industry, paving the way
by Catherine Bitting The post-Covid world is still struggling to bounce back from pervasive shutdowns in production and a backlog in the supply chain. However, the rumbles of increasing demand in certain national sectors are becoming more insistent. In aviation, manufacturing and skilled trades, especially, the need for experienced individuals with technical skills is ramping […]
New bachelor’s degree program, new opportunities
by De Anza College De Anza College has won formal approval to offer its first-ever baccalaureate degree: a bachelor of science in automotive technology management. The degree will provide students with new opportunities for jobs and career growth, while helping fill a need for skilled managers at auto dealerships, repair shops and commercial vehicle fleets. […]
Low-risk employer chats have high pay-off
By Casey Britten For students, starting the search process for that first ‘real job’ after college can be intimidating; it’s difficult to know the best place to begin. At Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC), the FVTC Employment Connections team aims to break down some of those barriers through a new series of Virtual Employer Chats. “We started […]
Ahead of the curve in training mobility workers
Detroit’s North American International Auto Show, held last month for the first time since 2019 because of the Covid pandemic, gives attendees a glimpse at new car models and emerging auto technologies. This year’s show included exhibitors from automakers and universities, as well as Washtenaw Community College (WCC), which showcased its Ford Mustang Mach-E. Instructors […]
$1B Build Back Better Regional Challenge projects include community college partners
The Biden administration on Friday announced the 21 selected regional economic development projects that will receive funding through the $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge. Most of the projects include state community college systems or individual two-year colleges among their partners. Funded by the American Rescue Plan and administered by the U.S. Commerce Department’s […]
New certificate helps students level up
Once a hobby exclusively for gamers, esports (electronic sports, also known as competitive video and computer game play) is evolving into a popular industry full of business and career opportunities. New for fall 2022, Rio Salado College in Arizona offers a certificate of completion in esports to meet demand in the esports industry. “The audience for […]
Partnering to bring smiles
Skagit Valley College (SVC) is partnering with Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (Swinomish) to launch the first dental therapy education program in Washington to address the ongoing oral health workforce disparities among underrepresented minorities, specifically the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. The name of the dental therapy program is dəxʷx̌ayəbus, which is a Lushootseed phrase pronounced […]