Two-Year Colleges Take on Bigger Role in Workforce Training

Community colleges and technical schools are becoming a bigger part of post-secondary education, providing the specific skills training that often leads to a quicker entrance into the workforce.

From evolving technology to an aging workforce, the role of these institutions is becoming more critical as they are counted on to help supply a new generation of skilled laborers.

Andrea Henderson, the executive director of Arkansas Community Colleges (ACC), the organization that collaborates with government agencies, educational institutions, private foundations and others on initiatives to support community colleges in the state, said one- and two-year degrees have value and play a critical role.

“Most jobs require some sort of post-secondary credential, and community colleges fill that space between high school and four-year degree,” she said.

In Arkansas, one of the biggest areas of growth has revolved around technology. This is an industry, however, where there are varying avenues and paths for workers to begin a career. Automation and robotics have changed the workforce in multiple ways, including how manufacturers create. According to ACC, 1,500 Arkansas businesses have been served by customized training at community colleges and technical schools.

“There are a lot of different classes and programs that are offered in the IT field,” Henderson said. “A college degree is a really different path; the technology programs and certifications in technical or community colleges are about shorter term training,” Henderson said.

Other industries in the state with critical needs for workers include trucking and health care. Technical and community colleges in Arkansas have been integral for the health care industry in Arkansas supplying registered and practical nurses, surgical technicians and more.

“These programs are much more cost-effective with financial aid available, including one or two year Pell grants, state financial aid and a few week program’s workforce challenge available,” Henderson said, adding that several programs offered in the state can include dual enrollment, hands-on training and apprenticeships.

Unlike university programs, where most students work toward degree completion for four years, non-credit training programs offer unique opportunities, in a build-as-you-go fashion. This is true for associates and short-term certification programs, catered to the needs of businesses in the area.

“For example, a two-year degree in a field such as automotion is a path, but short-term certificates have specific pieces of these programs and students can work in their career fields and build their career,” Henderson said. “Our hope is that we can get more funding for our workforce programs; having adequate resources and funding will allow us to support Arkansas businesses.”

Henderson said community and technical colleges work closely with local businesses to determine the workforce needs of a specific area.

“We serve our students but also serve our community by making sure that students get training they need to succeed in the jobs they want,” Henderson said.

While manufacturing and agriculture often come to mind when discussing Arkansas industries, hospitality actually represents the state’s second-largest industry. It grosses $5.6 billion annually while employing more than 100,000 people, according to the Arkansas Hospitality Association.

The AHA serves the restaurant, lodging and tourism industries and represents approximately 1,100 members. Its job is to promote public awareness of the industry’s contributions to the Arkansas economy.

Working with several programs such as ServSafe, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and American Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Foundation, the AHA also provides access to apprenticeship programs, scholarship opportunities and training.

Management programs in lodging as well as hospitality/tourism are offered at several institutions across the state. The programs enable high-school juniors and seniors to take steps toward hospitality careers. ProStart, a nationwide two-year program, also caters to high schoolers who want to take on additional curriculum before graduation. Through it, students can qualify for scholarships from the Arkansas Tourism and Hospitality Education Foundation. In Arkansas, the program has become a talent pipeline for the food-service industry.

ServSafe from the National Restaurant Association provides online manager training with one-day exam formats with testing prep offered by AHA.

More information on these programs and more is available at ArkansasCC.org.

UA-Pulaski Tech

Technical colleges and workforce development institutions in Arkansas