What Do Employers Value in Partnerships with Community Colleges?
About
This webinar featured Lauren Eyster, evaluator and co-author of the brief, “Employer Perspectives on Building Partnerships with Community Colleges: Insights for Local Leaders and Practitioners.” The brief, using interviews with more than 40 employers, reveals three key reasons employers partner with community colleges: 1) to address hiring needs, such as mid-high level skill training, 2) to replace an aging workforce, and 3) to access quality facilities and unique programs.
Moderator
Jenn Smith, Division Chief, Division of Strategic Investments, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Presenter(s)
Lauren Eyster, Senior Fellow, Income and Benefits Policy Center, Urban Institute
Lesley Mara, Director Strategic Initiatives, Sponsored Research and Outreach, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities
The seven-year TAACCCT program awarded nearly $2 billion to more than 700 community colleges to increase the ability of community colleges to address workforce needs. In February 2021, the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant launched, drawing from TAACCCT’s key priorities and findings.
In this session, the presenter shared findings from TAACCCT grantees on deepening levels of employer engagement and what employers did (and did not) appreciate in partnering with community colleges. She also discussed what types of employer engagement strategies were used to bring these partnerships to fruition.
This was the third in a three-part roundtable series focused on sharing lessons learned from TAACCCT with current community college grantees and the wider workforce development community. The series was hosted by the Department of Labor’s Chief Evaluation Office and Employment and Training Administration. Each session featured expert speakers with time for audience Q&A.
Find the two previous webinars at these links:
- What's Important When You're Engaged in Community College Systems Change?
- Building Career Pathways Programs & Systems: Insights from TAACCT
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- Posted by: Samantha Doak
- Posted in: Global