Community colleges in the United States have become major providers of human resource development services, particularly through offering workforce development training to local employers. The addition of workforce development services to community colleges is a fairly recent phenomenon. Some see workforce development efforts as diluting community…

The disclosure in 2006 by Oxford's Conference of Colleges that it would require newly matriculated students to sign a student-college contract is the latest evidence of the tendency to reduce the university-student relationship to one of contract. It also points to the reinvention of the university in the context of a disaggregated and…

World geo-economics of the last two decades have seriously impacted on governments' capability to finance university teaching, research and community engagement, especially in the developing world. Over the same period however, the demands and expectations exerted on universities by government and society have increased phenomenally. To meet these…

This book offers colleges and universities information on contract training with business and industry, suggesting ways to blend corporate education programs into the organizational structure of both the educational institution and the business organization, and providing guidelines for obtaining contracts and delivering programs. Included also…

A tribal college president describes how partnerships with international companies (such as one that changes slaughterhouse waste blood into protein additives for animal and human foods) may be lucrative but conflict with tribal traditions, culture, and integrity. States that globalization does not always serve the purposes of tribal colleges.…

This chapter focuses on successful practices in fundraising through contractual, partnership, and entrepreneurial activities by community colleges. Examples of each type of fundraising activity are discussed, and Central Piedmont Community College's (Charlotte, NC) enterprising college model, which incorporates elements of each type, is described.

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)

This digest explores various ways in which businesses have partnered with educational institutions to improve vocational education efforts. It begins the article with an acknowledgment that vocational education has undergone consistent reform in the last decade to satisfy the demands of public, corporate, and government sectors that hold community…

Discusses the role of community colleges in attracting new businesses to the area, focusing on the formation of community partnerships. Suggests that community colleges should position themselves as facilitators and brokers of training and education activities. Describes five basic steps in recruiting businesses, highlighting three examples of…

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)

The Women's Employment Network (WEN) is a college-based program funded by the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) that provides job search and placement assistance to an average of 130 low-income women each year. Program components include an intensive job-search class, which assists participants in assessing their work skills, values, and…

The Salem-Steelville-Potosi Consortium, located in rural, southeastern Missouri, began its involvement with Contract Vocational Education (CVE) in 1979 and after 15 semesters, 234 contracts had been negotiated with 193 students and over 100 businesses. A prior dropout study had shown the schools that most of their dropouts had limited career…

In 1987, a study was conducted to assess the status of customized contract training programs in 16 League for Innovation community college districts and to examine the issues surrounding the establishment of these programs. An initial survey requested information on the current status of contract training programs. A subsequent survey, employing…

In fall 1988, the Delta College (DC) Board of Trustees appointed a committee of 100 citizens from Saginaw, Bay, and Midland counties to study current college operations and develop recommendations for future directions for DC in the areas of programs, facilities, and finance. Three subcommittees were formed to examine each of these areas. The…