As people live longer, healthier lives and the new health care law extends benefits to millions more Americans, the need for nurses, technicians, and others to staff the nation's hospitals and medical facilities presents an enormous opportunity for workers displaced by the faltering economy. This article features Virtual Career Network that helps…

Community colleges have seen significant legislative developments in the last few years, including reauthorization of the Higher Education Act in 2008, the stimulus legislation earlier this year, and, of course, the American Graduation Initiative (AGI), which should be passed by the end of the year. But there is one significant piece of the puzzle…

By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs in the economy will require postsecondary education and training beyond high school. That's a pretty strong statement in defense of the value of higher education in this country. But it will mean little unless the nation's colleges and universities--and, specifically, community colleges--can produce more workers…

"The Road to Recovery: Projecting U.S. Job Growth and Higher Education Demand through 2020" (this issue, p26-29) presented six key indicators that highlighted the latest in education and employment needs for the success of the future jobs market. While the U.S. economy is growing, questions still remain: What skills do employers value…

Many have heard calls from national policy experts, the Obama administration, and influential foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Lumina Foundation for Education to increase the number of Americans with postsecondary credentials earned at community colleges by 5 million within 10 years. If community colleges choose to…

With Arizona's mining industry in decline and its construction and housing market racked by economic upheaval, workers in rural regions across the state are enrolling in community colleges at a record clip. At Central Arizona College (CAC), administrators have reported 16 percent to 20 percent growth each semester for three years running. Georgia…

While public demand for education and job training--two consequences of a down economy--are at an all-time high, community colleges, many of which face record enrollments, are forced to do more with less. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 39 states report shortfalls for FY 2010; 36 reported cuts to higher education across…

In the 20th century, Los Angeles built its reputation as a city of golden excess, enshrouded in smog and traversed by freeways. In the 21st century, the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) is helping the City of Angels fashion a new reputation--one of sustainable living. From 2001, when the district's board first passed a $1.2 billion…

Looking to put some of its community members--many of whom have seen their jobs evaporate amid a troubled economy--back to work, administrators at Berkshire Community College (BCC) in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, have committed as much as $200,000 in grant money to establish a new job corps that will give low-income or displaced workers free…

When Martin Lancaster took over as president of the North Carolina Community College System more than a decade ago, the state, not unlike much of the nation, stood at the precipice of a massive economic shift. As traditional manufacturing and farming jobs--from tobacco to furniture to textiles--began to disappear, demand for a new breed of worker…

Many students recognizes the value of participating in an internship program. The experience benefits not only students and potential future employers, but colleges, too--not the mention the workforce. Internships often equip students with a competitive advantage over other job seekers. On-the-job programs not only allow students to discover the…

Discusses the issues surrounding the value changes that impact opportunities for workforce development. Emerging technologies have changed the way labor is deployed. Offers exercises aimed at helping community colleges to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the industries they serve. Contains three figures and five references. (NB)

This article features a "Triad" partnership of a group of Snohomish County organizations representing education, government and industry. Recognizing the need for a training and workforce development effort to address the aerospace manufacturing employers' needs, Triad views themselves as the pivotal cornerstone for deployment of complex…

Describes the cooperative economic development program developed between the Maricopa Community Colleges, Arizona, and Chengdu, China. The colleges are assisting Chinese policy leaders in restructuring needed training for newer, modern, and usually western economic approaches, aided by U.S. community college training program models. Reports on…

Argues that global diversity has become a business imperative in today's business climate. Global diversity is of core importance even for companies that are considered domestic. Suggests community colleges need help in understanding their customer base and their shifting values in order to meet their needs and win customer loyalty. (NB)