Community Resource 101

When there is an increase in unemployment, there is also an increase in educational enrollment. People seek continuing education as a way to sharpen existing skills, gain new employable skills, or start a whole new career. A visit to your local community college can be the start towards your next position.

You may think that community college is a holding cell for kids out of high school wandering aimlessly around trying to find themselves or get their act together so they can go on to a four-year college or university. But I’m here to tell you, community college is no longer the extended high school program it use to be. Times have changed and so has it!

Offering more than just an associate’s degree, many community colleges offer a comprehensive list of programs and services. Programs and services offered may include transfer programs, occupational programs, developmental education, workforce development, community education and student services. These programs and services are geared towards:

•Individuals seeking to advance their career by taking professional development courses offered by the workforce development program.
•Community members looking to broaden their horizons and improve their quality of life through classes, workshops, events and trips offered through community education.
•People seeking immediate employment can enroll in short-term certificate programs offered through occupational programs.
•Adults wanting to improve basic education skills can sign up for General Education Development (GED), Adult Basic Education, the Adult Literacy Project, Learning Enhancement and English as a Second Language (ESL) offered through developmental education.
•Students wishing to start their academic career at a school closer to home and affordable tuition can take advantage of the transfer program.
•Members of the community in need of resume writing assistance and other job seeking tools can visit the career service department as part of student service. Important to note, you may not even need to be enrolled as a student to take advantage of this service.

With globalization driving changes in our economy, the need for an educated workforce has never been greater. The majority of new jobs that will be created by 2014 will require some post secondary education. Advantages to community college are its relatively low barrier to entry and ease of access. Relationships with local business and social services allow community colleges to be a real catalyst in economic development.

To find your local community college, visit the American Association of Community Colleges (http://www.aacc.nche.edu).