Certification and Workforce Development
In their workforce development programs, community colleges have often used the learning standards of external constituencies. Many community colleges maintain extensive apprenticeship programs, teaching to the standards of unions and management. And, almost all schools offer continuing education and customized training programs that certify students in the competencies of business and industry. While many of these programs are ancillary to the traditional credit instructional process by which the faculty determine the curriculum and the levels of competency, the scope and impact of these external measures of learning have been given a substantial new importance with the demands of the information technology industry.
These industries of the new economy, affected by rapid technological and market change, place little faith in full degree programs because they take too long to respond to new developments and often lack curriculum relevant to the real needs of firms. As a result, community colleges are experiencing a strong growth in various sub-degree certifications, especially in the fast changing technological field of information technology (IT). Further complicating this issue, is the growing trend of individual firms such as Cisco Systems, Microsoft, and Novell, to develop their own certificates and marketing them to community colleges.
In a study of 15 community colleges nationwide, CCRC discusses the development of new programs and their place within the evolving community college mission of workforce development. The study identifies the significant implications these developments have for the future role of community colleges. Detailed information is available in a chapter of the book, Defending the Community College Equity Agenda, written by CCRC researchers. The book contains current findings from the CCRC National Field Study of Community Colleges.
Project Staff:
James Jacobs, Chair of CCRC Advisory Board; -- President, Macomb Community College
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| Defending the Community College Equity AgendaBook by: Thomas Bailey & Vanessa Smith Morest — 11/25/2006In this book, CCRC researchers analyze how colleges have tried to improve their performance with respect to low-income students, students of color, and nontraditional students, given the challenges that their students face. View Abstract | Purchase at Amazon.comThe Community College as a Nexus for Workforce Transitions: A Critical EssayJournal Article by: James Jacobs & Richard A. Voorhees — 6/1/2006This article examines horizontal and vertical workforce transitions and how a global economy and the
need to train new subpopulations of future workers will cause community colleges to approach
their roles in workforce training differently.View Abstract | Download the PDFImplications of Educational Inequality for the Future WorkforcePaper by: Thomas Bailey — 10/25/2005This paper discusses how economic, political, social, and demographic factors are changing in such a way that in the future, the traditional educational inequality in the United States is going to increasingly stand in the way of the ability to sustain productivity growth and to compete successfully in international markets.View Abstract | Download the PDFThe Education Gospel and the Role of Vocationalism in American Education Journal Article by: W. Norton Grubb & Marvin Lazerson — 5/1/2005The idea that formal schooling preparing individuals for employment can resolve all public and private dilemmas has become dominant in the US and many other countries. This article reviews the many consequences of vocationalism and analyzes the problems that it creates.View AbstractThe Education Gospel: The Economic Power of SchoolingBook by: W. Norton Grubb & Marvin Lazerson — 11/1/2004In this hard-hitting history of "the gospel of education," W. Norton Grubb and Marvin Lazerson reveal the allure, and the fallacy, of the longstanding American faith that more schooling for more people is the remedy for all our social and economic problems--and that the central purpose of education is workplace preparation. View Abstract | Purchase at Amazon.comWorking Knowledge: Learning and Education ReformBook by: Thomas Bailey, Katherine L. Hughes & David Thornton Moore — 10/1/2003Based on over five years of research on work-based learning in high school and community college programs across the country, Working Knowledge explores the potential for using work-based learning as part of a broad education reform strategy. View Abstract | Purchase at Amazon.comThe Federal Role in Vocational-Technical EducationBrief by: James Jacobs & W. Norton Grubb — 3/1/2003CCRC Brief No. 18 discusses
what the current vocational education needs are, and then outlines why the states are unable to meet them completely and why assistance by the federal
government is justified.View Abstract | Download the PDFThe Uneven Distribution of Employee Training by Community Colleges: Description and Explanation.Journal Article by: Kevin Dougherty — 1/1/2003In the last 20 years, a new form of vocational training "contract training" or "customized training" has come to the forefront. This journal article describes the uneven supply of contract training by community colleges.View AbstractCommunity Colleges and the Equity Agenda: The Potential of Noncredit EducationJournal Article by: W. Norton Grubb, Norena Badway & D Bell — 1/1/2003The potential of noncredit education in community colleges is discussed in this informative journal article.View AbstractImplementing the "Education Consensus": The Federal Role in Supporting Vocational-Technical Education Paper by: James Jacobs & W. Norton Grubb — 3/1/2002This report was written at the request of the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) of the U.S. Department of Education, and examines the rationale for federal involvement in occupational education.View Abstract | Download the PDFOccupational EducationBook Chapter by: W. Norton Grubb — 1/1/2002Illuminating book chapter about occupational education in higher education.View AbstractWorkforce Development in the Information EconomyBook Chapter by: James Jacobs — 1/1/2002This book chapter discusses workforce development at community colleges.View AbstractSecond Chances in Changing Times: The Roles of Community Colleges in Advancing Low-Skilled WorkersBook Chapter by: W. Norton Grubb — 10/1/2001This book chapter describes how community colleges play a role in improving low-wage workers’ prospects.View AbstractOpportunities and Challenges for the New VocationalismJournal Article by: Debra Bragg — 3/1/2001This journal article discusses current issues surrounding new vocationalism. View AbstractCommunity Colleges and the Workforce Investment Act: Promises and Problems of the New VocationalismJournal Article by: James Jacobs — 3/1/2001This article discusses the Workforce Investment Act; pertains to workforce development at community colleges.View AbstractCommunity Colleges and their Communities: Collaboration for Workforce DevelopmentJournal Article by: Terry Orr — 3/1/2001Journal article about the collaboration of community colleges and communities enhancing workforce development. View AbstractState Policies and the Community College’s Role in Workforce PreparationBook Chapter by: Kevin Dougherty — 1/9/2001This book chapter provides a critical analysis of state policies affecting community colleges at the start of the 21st century. View AbstractWhat is the Future for Postsecondary Occupational Education? Journal Article by: James Jacobs — 1/1/2001This article, available online, discusses postsecondary occupational education.View AbstractFrom Isolation to Integration: Postsecondary Vocational Education and Emerging Systems of Workforce DevelopmentJournal Article by: W. Norton Grubb — 1/1/2001Journal article about emerging systems of workforce development and the role of community colleges.View AbstractVocational and Occupational Education: Pedagogical Complexity, Institutional DiversityBook Chapter by: W. Norton Grubb & F. Achtenhagen — 1/1/2001This illuminating book chaper reveals pedagogical complexity and institutional diversity within vocational and occupational education.View Abstract |
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| | Books | | Defending the Community College Equity AgendaBook by: Thomas Bailey & Vanessa Smith Morest — 11/25/2006In this book, CCRC researchers analyze how colleges have tried to improve their performance with respect to low-income students, students of color, and nontraditional students, given the challenges that their students face. View Abstract | Purchase at Amazon.comThe Education Gospel: The Economic Power of SchoolingBook by: W. Norton Grubb & Marvin Lazerson — 11/1/2004In this hard-hitting history of "the gospel of education," W. Norton Grubb and Marvin Lazerson reveal the allure, and the fallacy, of the longstanding American faith that more schooling for more people is the remedy for all our social and economic problems--and that the central purpose of education is workplace preparation. View Abstract | Purchase at Amazon.comWorking Knowledge: Learning and Education ReformBook by: Thomas Bailey, Katherine L. Hughes & David Thornton Moore — 10/1/2003Based on over five years of research on work-based learning in high school and community college programs across the country, Working Knowledge explores the potential for using work-based learning as part of a broad education reform strategy. View Abstract | Purchase at Amazon.comThe Roles of Evaluation for Education and Training: Plain Talk on the Field of DreamsBook by: W. Norton Grubb & Paul Ryan — 11/1/1999This book focuses on the why and how of evaluation and discusses the use and abuse of available evaluation results in policy-making.View Abstract | Purchase at Amazon.comEducation Through Occupations in American High Schools: Volume I, Approaches to Integrating Academic and Vocational EducationBook by: W. Norton Grubb — 3/1/1995This is the first book in a series about occupational education in US high schools edited by CCRC Reseacher Norton Grubb.View Abstract | Purchase at Amazon.com |
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| Presentations | Raising the Bar in the Knowledge Economy: Community Colleges and the Workforce Education MissionPresentation to Nassau Community College faculty and administrators.Conference: Workforce Development and the Liberal Arts: Community College Colloquium
Date: May 24, 2007
Location: Nassau Community College, Garden City, NYTeaching and Learning on the Frontier: Low-Skilled Adults & Community CollegesConference: League for Innovation in the Community College Annual Conference 2006
Date: March 20, 2006 8:00-9:00AM
Location: Crystal Ballroom A, 1st FloorThe Social Costs of Inadequate Education: Implications for Future WorkforceCCRC Director Thomas Bailey was a featured speaker at this event conducted by The Campaign for Educational Equity, which launched at TC in June with the goal of working to close the achievement gap between the nation's most advantaged and disadvantaged students.Conference: The First Annual Teachers College Symposium on Educational Equity, "The Social Costs of Inadequate Education: Research Findings"
Date: October 24, 2005 Part II of the sympossium; Session Three (1:45-3:15pm).
Location: Alfred Lerner Hall, Columbia UniversityBuilding Your Region’s Knowledge WorkforcePresentation on building educational pathways to careers in fields of regional economic importance.Conference: National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE) 2005 Annual Fall Conference
Date: October 24, 2005 8:15 – 9:15AM
Location: Regency West RoomThe Effects of Community College Training on Displaced WorkersCCRC Director Thomas Bailey commented on retraining workers at community colleges.Date: October 21, 2005 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m
Location: 1015 15th Street, N.W., 6th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005 |
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| Seminars | All Learning is Learning: The Role of Credentials and Non-Credit Education in Community CollegesThis seminar explored the issues related to credit and non-credit occupational training, with views presented on certification programs, credentialing, and related topics.Date: May 22, 2004 (2003-2004 academic year). 11:30am-2:00pm.
Location: 179 Grace Dodge Hall, Teachers CollegeVocational EducationThe Assistant Secretary for Vocactional and Adult Education (OVAE) discussed "The Role of the Federal Government in Vocational Education: Perkins and Beyond" Date: February 05, 2003 3PM-5PM
Location: 179 Grace Dodge Hall, Teachers College, Columbia University |
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