Skills Gap Articles

IT Academy creates career opportunities for non-traditional students

The IT Academy at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) is a “life-changer” for Juan Burgos, a Springfield resident. Echoing comments from other students enrolled in the IT Academy at STCC, Burgos said he’s excited to be working toward certifications that are tickets to good-paying jobs in the cybersecurity industry. Students in the first cohort held […]

Students expand cybersecurity knowledge with real-world scenario

Conrad Ledebuhr gave off a cool demeanor as he sat in the new computer lab used for cybersecurity training at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) on April 15.  But not too cool.  The fourth-semester IT-networking student, with six of his classmates, was tasked with first recognizing that a cybersecurity breach had been made, and then […]

First-of-its-kind registered apprenticeship program launches in Wisconsin

Madison College, UW Health and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development have launched the nation’s first respiratory therapist registered apprenticeship. The three-year program is open to UW Health staff. Graduates will earn an associate degree and become licensed registered respiratory therapists after passing board examinations. Madison College faculty will provide classroom instruction, including prerequisite coursework […]

New curriculum will serve as model for digital fluency across the Air Force, DOD

Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC), the Cyber Innovation Center and Louisiana Tech University are collaborating on a curriculum that will serve as the model for digital fluency across the Air Force and Department of Defense. The Digital Education Training for Enhanced Readiness (DETER) will increase digital fluency among Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) Airmen […]

Educator-employer partnerships boosts surgical tech training

In response to the growing demand for operating room staff, Columbus State Community College is partnering with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to increase enrollment in the college’s surgical technology program. Students who are admitted into the Columbus State program will complete their training in the Ohio State Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute […]

Flooring program bridges skills gap, meets industry demand

A new program at Chattanooga State Community College is helping students from as far away as Atlanta and Knoxville prepare for the next chapter of their lives in the flooring installation community. The first program of its kind in Tennessee, the four-part flooring installation course aims to create skilled installers in the flooring industry while […]

Indiana leans into youth apprenticeships

An ambitious statewide youth apprenticeship program modeled on the renowned Swiss system of apprenticeships starting in high school is being developed in Indiana, with Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech), the statewide community college system, playing an important role. If successful, it could be a gamechanger in labor participation rates and how employers and educators […]

Commentary: Paving the way for female engineers

While the field of engineering continues to expand, why are so few women pursuing engineering careers? A study by the Society of Women Engineers found that fewer than 2% of women who transfer from a two-year college to a four-year university majored in engineering and computer science compared with 11% of men. It isn’t for […]

New lab will prepare tomorrow’s climate champions

LaGuardia Community College/CUNY, has opened a new hydroponic research lab on campus where tomorrow’s climate champions will be trained. The college collaborated with Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-7th District) and NY Sun Works on the new lab. The lab is one of the first at a community college in NYC. Velázquez, NY Sun Works Director Manuela […]

Gerontology program reaches new milestone

Northwood Technical College’s gerontology – aging services professional program, launched in 2015, has stood out with its innovative, hands-on curriculum and flexible delivery, designed to equip students for careers in age, aging and older adulthood. Given the accelerated global aging trend, particularly in northwestern Wisconsin, this field’s significance cannot be overstated. Now, the program has […]