Community colleges have been at the forefront in providing contract training programs for clients such as businesses, health care organizations, and government agencies. Many state governments are beginning to provide resources for these programs as an incentive to attract or retain business and industry. One of the consequences of the demand for…

One of the most significant developments in higher education over the past decade has been the increased linkages between colleges and other organizations and institutions. A prominent and fast-growing form of linkage is contract training. Contract training refers to an arrangement in which a business, a government agency, or a community…

This study proposes to understand the major practical and philosophical issues faced by community colleges as they continue to expand the economic development roles of their contract education programs. The author argues that these practical and philosophical issues are influenced by the convergence of three key factors: (1) many community…

State governments across the nation are engaging community colleges as cornerstones of their comprehensive economic development strategies. This executive summary summarizes the efforts of 10 states, recommended by national experts, to deploy community colleges in support of state economic development priorities. The 10 states are: Florida,…

State governments across the nation are engaging community colleges as cornerstones of their comprehensive economic development strategies. This report summarizes the efforts of 10 states, recommended by national experts, to deploy community colleges in support of state economic development priorities. The 10 states are: Florida, Mississippi,…

Reports on the activities of Des Moines Area Community College's Economic Development Group (EDG), a division created to develop and coordinate a systematic approach to providing contract training for business and industry. Highlights the Project File System as the core of the EDG's delivery system. (AYC)

Reviews labor market needs projected for the year 2000. Discusses specific efforts of community colleges nationwide to promote economic development through customized contract training programs. Examines the role of small businesses in contract training and the likely impact of changing telecommunications technology on customized training and…

The Washington State Job Skills Program (JSP) was established by the legislature in 1983 as an economic development incentive to provide customized, quick-start training to meet the employment needs of new or expanding businesses in the state. Funds are granted to public and private educational institutions to train people for new jobs, prepare…

An overview is provided of community college involvement in providing job training for industry on a contract basis. Part 1 provides background on the changing role of community colleges and the introduction of contract training as a means of addressing the growing need of organizations to train and retrain staff. Part 2 offers a national…

In fall 1988, an evaluative study was undertaken at the community colleges of the State University of New York (SUNY) to document the outcomes of contract courses delivered to local employers and to gain information that could lead to program improvement. Data were gathered through questionnaires mailed to the contact person of participating firms…

Reports on a study conducted by the Two-Year College Development Center to evaluate contract courses delivered by New York community colleges. Discusses findings related to the effectiveness of contract courses, implications of training opportunities, perceived value of training, and employer recommendations. (DMM)

Training systems are facing three basic considerations: (1) adjustment to demographic trends such as the population explosion in developing countries, the aging of the work force in developed countries, and the increased participation of women in economic activities; (2) changing patterns of demand, such as lower rates of growth, restructuring of…

In 1989-90, a national survey was conducted to assess the scope and nature of contract training and other economic development activities at community colleges and technical institutes. The survey was sent to a random sample of 246 community colleges, requesting information on the colleges' workforce and economic development activities in 1988-89.…

Today contract education is generally thought of as a program or course for which an employer is paying the full cost of instruction for customized training. Contract education can help faculty remain current, encourage industry to make equipment available to the college that might otherwise be too expensive, and provide employment opportunities…

This guide is intended to help two-year colleges create viable linkages with business, industry, and labor and design and offer training programs for and in cooperation with business and labor. The first part covers the following aspects of linkages: business and industry perspectives on linkages and cooperative programming, organized labor…