Jennifer Rohrig, MA’s Post

For Economic Development Week, it's important to highlight important different aspects of what we do as economic developers - and what we do covers a lot. One of those aspects is being actively engaged, dialed in, and leading the charge with workforce development. According to the Virginia Economic Developer's Association, "Workforce development is those efforts that prepare people for education and available careers and connect businesses to skilled workers. This is accomplished through job training and retraining; vocational education; basic skills such as math and literacy; hard skills; and soft skills such as work ethic and attitude. A skilled workforce is the number on reason a business will choose to locate in a community." Yesterday, thirty graduating seniors from Bedford County participated in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Signing Day. These young people will be entering the workforce in less than 30 days, but have accepted full-time offers for employment in fields that aligned with their high school CTE coursework. We could not be more proud of our next generation of workers! The months of planning and preparing for this event make it all worthwhile when you have your eye on the prize! #EconDevWeek #Workforcedevelopment #CTESigningDay #CareerReadiness #CTE

I couldn't agree more with Northwest Vista College President Amy Bosley regarding the need for creative higher educational pathways. She emphasized that the distinction between workforce training and a traditional liberal arts education is increasingly blurred. Today’s employers seek individuals who possess both critical thinking skills and job-specific knowledge. We are creating educational pathways at UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ from both short-term noncredit and credit certificates to aligned associate degrees, and vice-versa. This stackable, bi-directional life-long learning approach will help our students, community, employers, and colleges. Expanding workforce programs involves adding stackable credentials, allowing students to gain marketable skills, enter the workforce quickly, and improve their earning potential. This approach helps ensure that higher education aligns with the evolving industry needs.

Unlocking the potential for more students to earn degrees leading to higher lifetime earnings requires collaboration among school districts, higher education, employers, and community leaders. Mark Suzman from the Gates Foundation emphasizes the importance of structured education pathways, like dual enrollment programs, which allow students to accumulate credits towards degrees while in high school. Texas is cited as an example, with its initiatives linking high schools, colleges, and businesses to identify and address workforce needs. Suzman highlights three key steps for other states: forging partnerships, enabling dual enrollment, and providing high-quality advising. With these efforts, we can ensure everyone has the opportunity to realize their full potential. https://lnkd.in/em7ERZSc #EducationPathways #OpportunityForAll"

Kayla Martinez grew up in small-town Roscoe, Texas, where opportunities for young people felt few and far between. The daughter of a mechanic and a nurse, she dreamed of a career in STEM—but finding a future close to home seemed impossible. Then, she found Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN), a program that offers rural students college courses and hands-on career training, right in their own schools. With CEN’s support, Kayla got on track to earn her associate’s degree by the time she graduates. “Now I can see a real future here,” she says. Across Texas, CEN is helping young people find promising careers in their communities and keep their talents close to home. This work is reshaping towns like Roscoe and offering students a future worth staying for. Learn more about this work: https://lnkd.in/e4SwZp2Y #CareerTraining #STEMEducation #RuralStudents #CareerPathways

Some experts say that California could look to Texas for career education ideas as families and students increasingly question the long-term value and costs of a traditional four-year college diploma. While higher education enrollments suffered pandemic-era drops nationally, community colleges that concentrate on vocational programs showed a 16% increase last fall. That’s a sizable rise compared with two-year public schools that transfer students to universities — those saw an increase of less than 1%, federal statistics show. More than anything, some experts say, Texas State Technical College's focus almost entirely on job training and career preparation gives it a leg up and has boosted its enrollment much faster than regular community colleges since the pandemic losses.

It's the middle of summer, but many of us in higher education are laser-focused on November 2024. Colleagues, I urge you -- do not let politics deter you from this vital work. Regardless of who becomes the President of the United States, we must remain unapologetic in our dedication to serving our students and communities. When I say "stay focused on the mission and vision," I mean we must relentlessly pursue our institutions' strategic plans. This includes advancing our education programs, enhancing our facilities and staffing, managing our enrollments effectively, and upholding our equity plans. At Compton College, we are diligently working on Compton College 2035, which is our updated stragetic plan, with a target completion date of November 2024. We must continue to be unapologetic as we address the systems, policies and structures that negatively impact student success, particularly for students whose voices have been ignored. Stay focused, stay strong and let your heart serve as your compass in this work.

As part of an ongoing effort to recruit and retain a skilled workforce, the City of San Diego is adding new educational opportunities for its employees to further their career growth and development. Today the San Diego City Council approved agreements with National University, San Diego College of Continuing Education, University of California San Diego Division of Extended Studies, and the University of California San Diego Rady School of Management to be the Official Employee Education Program Partners of the City of San Diego.    These partnerships will provide City employees with free and discounted tuition and educational scholarships during the 5-year contract term – and come at no cost to the City of San Diego: https://lnkd.in/gpRQFHvB #SanDiego

Proud to be part of an exciting new chapter in workforce development! 📣 University of California, San Diego - Rady School of Management is now an official partner in The City of San Diego’s Employee Education Program. This partnership offers city employees access to discounted tuition, and career-enhancing opportunities. It’s a powerful step toward empowering the workforce and fueling career growth. #RadySchool #UCSD #SanDiego #WorkforceDevelopment #CareerGrowth #EmployeeEducation

⬇️ More of this, please ⬇️ 💥Enrollment Reaches 10-Year High In Alabama Community Colleges💥 This fall, Alabama CCs have seen the largest number of students seeking in-credit and workforce training since 2013. This comes as more jobs require more education and training than ever before. Do you know? ✅ When I was born, 28% of jobs required education and training beyond high school. ✅ Today, 68% of jobs require education and training post-high school. ✅ In 2031, 72% of jobs will require education and training beyond high school. Is community college enrollment up ⬆️ in your region or state? If not, create a community "To-Do" list to make this happen. - Community To-Do List - 1. Create an early expectation that every student will achieve some level of post-secondary education or training. 2. Develop deep and substantive collaboration between your education partners. Your education partners should not be competitors fighting over limited power and resources. Have them work together to advance more students through your education and training pipeline. 3. Get your education and business sectors working closely in every aspect of education and training. https://lnkd.in/enJunD4e

Here are four key opportunities for how community colleges can embrace a new framework to support workforce development and cultivate trust from Dr. Janet N. Spriggs, the seventh President of Forsyth Technical Community College.