Maintaining a dynamic economy with a skilled workforce requires collaborations between businesses and educational institutions. It requires a feedback loop of what a given industry needs and the new ways of doing things learning provides. Given there is no monopoly on information with regards to technological advancements, collaboration is vital in bringing advancements. Institutions such as universities and community colleges can partner with the public and private sector to continually push a country or community’s economy forward.
Community colleges providing a technical workforce
Vocational skills paired with theoretical knowledge provide a favorable combination with regards to innovation. Community colleges prepare those postsecondary students to compete in the industry of choice like never before. As more people gravitate toward areas of interest or where their talents lie, there are now more skilled workers, having been furnished with industry-based education. Gone are days of operating in a vacuum.
Industry players wish to spend less on training. Therefore partnering with community colleges and such as institutions is an added advantage. They get capable workers straight from the education system. A Cosmetic Consultant firm would wish to find research assistant capable of keeping up with industry requirements without having to pay for training before new employees can get put to work. Developing a combined curriculum that factor in an institution’s core objectives and that of businesses equally works for that undertaking education. When a person horns their craft, they are more likely to have job satisfaction and also have higher pay.
Opening up the workforce
Those taking part in these educational systems no longer have to fear staying out of work. Room is not only limited to those who have gone ahead to institutions of higher learning. With the credentials or certifications they have, they can, even with illiteracy or language barriers, earn a decent living. Thus, these collaborations provide a chance for those disadvantaged in the community to earn a dignified living from the work of their hands.
While there are such collaborative efforts, it is not widespread. There still needs to be a scalable plan and overall standards for adoption countrywide. Currently, community colleges have the lowest completion rate. That indicates disconnect between what they need to survive in the workforce and the knowledge they acquire. There ought to be additional dialogue with local governments given they fund these institutions. With increased resources, research and partnerships will pave the way for a flourishing educational system that those enroll benefit greatly.
Conclusion
Governance in community colleges ought to embrace change quickly if they are to serve their community. In turn, businesses can learn to be patient as the change in the educational system takes longer than what they are used.
