Lessons Learned: Workforce Development Institute

Last month, the ACCE Foundation had the opportunity to attend the?American Association of Community College’s?Workforce Development Institute. In addition to moderating a panel featuring the Greater Springfield Partnershipand the North Central Massachusetts Chamber, we also had the opportunity to attend several sessions. Here are three of our big takeaways.

Community colleges are looking at new ways to recruit faculty for in-demand fields.

Community colleges have historically been go-to institutions for training in advanced manufacturing, health care and other in-demand fields. Tight labor markets are impacting institutions, and they need help attracting and retaining faculty from highly paid industries. Getting outside instructors credentialed and accredited can also be a barrier in some states.

Colleges are using creative solutions, like working with local employers to lend them instructors who are on temporary disability or negotiating contracts to “borrow” folks from industry to teach. They are also looking at ways to deliver class content at different times of the week to better align with the schedules of students and adjunct instructors. There may be opportunities for chambers to support this kind of collaboration to help train additional workers in these fields.

Industry 5.0 is coming – and colleges need support to prepare for these shifts.

While many companies are still grappling with Industry 4.0, the next wave of advancements are already being evaluated and adopted.?Industry 5.0?will drive changes that stem from shifting from economic value to a model focusing on societal value and the overall well-being of businesses, workers and communities.

Community colleges could use partners like chambers to help navigate these discussions and invest in the kinds of training that will meet the demands of Industry 5.0. The business voice will be critical in staying ahead of these trends rather than reacting to them once they are established. Industry partnerships can help community colleges get the most up-to-date equipment that students will need. Chambers can help broker these partnerships and help create more resilient local economies.

Partnerships can help expand the labor pool to get more people into well-paid jobs.

Many panelists at the conference spoke about different aspects of labor force participation. ACCE Foundation’s work with Lumina Foundation is focused on how community colleges, chambers and nonprofit organizations can partner to get more workers of color into credentials for in-demand jobs. Some community colleges and their industry partners are looking at how to get more women into industries and careers that have historically been male-dominated. Organizations like AARP discussed the need for retraining older workers.

Partnerships are often key in this work. Community colleges and chambers alike can build relationships with underserved populations, and trust is critical in attracting new workers to many of these industries. Many national trade and industry associations are working to address misconceptions about what it's like to work in certain industries, and some community colleges have taken on their own marketing campaigns for specific degree or certification programs. There is value in chambers working with partners to amplify these messages and ensure that communities are not duplicating efforts.