Changing the economy one family at a time: dual aims of workforce development

The authors note that it is more important than ever that workers earn postsecondary credentials to attain the skills required to participate in the US economic recovery. In this chapter, they discuss how the community college workforce development mission has evolved over the past 10 years, how the mission plays out at community colleges today, what it may look like in the future, and questions that need to be considered. They suggest that the best colleges are attempting to serve both ends of the spectrum: maintaining open access and helping displaced and underemployed workers enter...  [+] Show more

The authors note that it is more important than ever that workers earn postsecondary credentials to attain the skills required to participate in the US economic recovery. In this chapter, they discuss how the community college workforce development mission has evolved over the past 10 years, how the mission plays out at community colleges today, what it may look like in the future, and questions that need to be considered. They suggest that the best colleges are attempting to serve both ends of the spectrum: maintaining open access and helping displaced and underemployed workers enter the workforce; and meeting industry needs by providing workforce training that enables employers to develop their businesses and contribute to the economy through jobs that pay a living wage.

Edited excerpts from publication.