The economy is changing and with it, America’s demand for labor. A high school diploma is rarely enough, but not every student needs a four-year college degree. Community colleges are among the institutions best positioned to prepare students for the workforce, and many are experimenting with a new approach, putting career education at the center of the college’s mission and culture. What does this new landscape look like? What will it take to bring it to scale across the US? What reforms are needed – on campus and from policymakers?
OPPORTUNITY AMERICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SURVEY
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PAPERS
Kentucky FAME: Fulfilling the promise of apprenticeship Opportunity America and Brookings Institution, October 2020
Skills wanted: CUNY as engine of economic recovery Opportunity America, June 2020
The indispensable institution: Reimagining community college Opportunity America, June 2020
Community college career education: Scaling a new approach Lumina Foundation, July 2019
An unknown landscape: Short-term job-focused college programs Opportunity America, June 2019
Rethinking the mission: Community colleges and workforce education American Enterprise Institute, November 2017
ARTICLES
Dallas Federal Reserve Bank Southwest Economy, third quarter 2021
Community colleges are an agile new player in job training Wall Street Journal, 9-23-21
National study profiles noncredit workforce programs at community colleges ACCT Now, 1-11-21
Can community colleges step up as engines of economic recovery? Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Workforce Currents, 11-13-20
CUNY can drive NYC’s resurgence New York Daily News, 7-8-20
The untapped potential of community college career education Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, 8-7-19
Community colleges and career education Education Next, 11-28-18
EVENTS
Skills wanted: CUNY as engine of economic recovery Sponsored by Opportunity America, hosted by Bronx Community College, 7-8-20
The indispensable institution: Reimagining community college Sponsored by Opportunity America, hosted by Louisiana Community and Technical College System, 6-25-20
An unknown landscape: Short-term job-focused college programs Capitol Hill briefing, 7-30-19
Rethinking CUNY for a changing economy Center for an Urban Future, 12-4-18
Workforce education: New Jersey as a laboratory for America Cosponsored by Opportunity America, American Enterprise Institute and Advance CTE, 5-1-18
Improving CTE by reforming community college American Enterprise Institute, 11-15-17
OPPORTUNITY AMERICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE WORKING GROUP
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