Workforce Development

Generations ago, universities educated future clergymen and the children of the well-to-do. Today, institutions of higher learning have a hand in developing much of the American workforce. The following articles consider the theory and practice of this crucial task. How are colleges meeting their obligation to equip students to flourish in their careers?








Jobs data cannot prove that college is a “good investment”

All that the favorable job statistics for college graduates tell us is that having a degree positions you better in the job market compared with people who do not have those credentials. Many employers who need workers for jobs that require only basic abilities and a decent attitude now screen out people who don’t have college degrees. Companies looking to hire for positions such as sales supervisor and rental car agent, for instance, often state that they’ll only consider applicants who’ve graduated from college. What they studied or how well they did is largely beside the point.



Workforce Training Doubles in Year

CHAPEL HILL — Workforce training performed at community colleges grew at a rate of almost 100 percent in the past year, according to officials from the community college system.

From July 2005 to June 2006, community colleges trained 23,799 workers through its New and Expanding Industry Training program, Dr. Larry Keen, vice president for economic and workforce development, told members of the State Board of Community Colleges at a recent meeting. That is up from 12,398 during a similar period in 2005 and 10,117 in 2004.