Page 24 - MidJersey Business - September 2015

e or more companies motivation and
HIRE EDUCATION businesses and
To combat this, the United Association of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, and Service Techs offers a nationally registered ap- prenticeship program. Apprentices work the same hours as journey workers and at- tend classes. According to the union, when an applicant is accepted into a program, it is similar to receiving a full-ride, tuition- free scholarship. While learning the trade, they also work for a contractor and earn wages to help support their families.
Globally, we are not a leader in this area. Only 10 percent of American workers have the degrees needed for middle-skills jobs, compared with 24 percent of Canadians and 19 percent of Japanese, according to the Organization for Economic Coopera- tion and Development. Over the last 20 years, the number of U.S. graduates with associate’s degrees has increased by only
3 percent, making a case that American students overlook community colleges as a viable path to prosperity.
“There’s still a perception that a voca- tional education is great for other people’s kids, but not for my kid,” Schwartz says. “There’s still a sense that if I’m a parent
in the suburbs and one of my kids goes through high school but doesn’t go to col- lege then somehow I’m a failure.”
But, with a two-year community college degree, air traffic controllers can make $113,547, radiation therapists $76,627, dental hygienists $70,408, nuclear medi- cine technologists $69,638, nuclear techni- cians $68,037, registered nurses $65,853, and fashion designers $63,170, according
commit to interview
to CareerBuilder.com.
In 2012, radiation therapists and
nuclear medicine technologists earned median salaries north of $70,180, accord- ing to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary for diagnostic sonog- raphers was nearly $20,000 higher than the median salary for young adults with bachelor’s degrees,
far too picky, or are unwilling to invest in training, are unwilling to collaborate with community colleges or even high schools to address their skills pipeline problem,” Schwartz says.
Vocational schools and trade schools present alternative pathways for young adults looking to forge a meaningful
according to NCES. Almost 30 percent
There are 5.5 million American 16-24-year-olds who are neither in school nor at work.
of Americans with as-
sociate’s degrees make
more than those with
bachelor’s degrees,
according to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. Other research shows that, on average, community college graduates right out of school make more than graduates of four- year universities with the average wage for community college grads in Tennessee is $38,948, which is more than $1,300 higher than the salaries of graduates of the state’s four-year schools.
career and even make salaries comparable to graduates of four-year schools. These revolutionary changes are already under- way in New Jersey with local community colleges leading the way to a more highly trained workforce.
Mercer County Community College offers several training opportunities for a variety of careers such as computer net- working, graphic design, architecture and building, construction technology, cooking and baking, and office systems technology.
“Our Business and Technology Division works closely with the business community to develop and offer programs that will meet their needs,” says Lynn Coopersmith, dean of the Organization Development
and Community Programs at MCCC. “In addition, the Center for Continuing Studies offers noncredit programs. We also keep abreast of current skill needs and develop programs that will meet the workforce needs of our regions.”
About 35 percent of Mercer’s graduates transfer to senior colleges or universities. MCCC offers 70 degree program options and 30 credit certificate programs. The three most popular are liberal arts, nursing, and business.
The Workforce Investment Act is a county-based training-to-work program that funds up to one year of study and preparation for immediate employment. Accepted participants may train in one approved credit or noncredit certificate program for one year in order to prepare for a demand occupation. Participants also undergo employment skills training.
Mercer’s Career Training Institute also
The Georgetown center estimates that 29 million jobs paying middle class wages require only an associate’s—and not a bachelor’s—degree.
A NEW PATH
The changing economy and the exodus of retiring workers have created needs for cer- tain workers that are not being produced by the American school system at a fast enough rate. Students are conditioned that the right path to a secure working life is by
advancing through high school to attend a four-year college and beyond, but accord- ing to some surveys, there are 600,000 jobs in the technical manufacturing sector that are going unfilled because companies can’t find people who have the right skills.
“What some critics have been arguing
is the reason we
have a skills gap is employers are being
22 midJersey business
How NJ Community Colleges Have Become a Workforce Pipeline
The New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development identifies one or more companies in a particular region and industry that are seeking skilled workers with comparable skill sets.
nThe Consortium trains and certifies job seekers in that same region who have passed screen- ing tests for motivation and aptitude.
nThe participating companies screen prospective trainees, take trainees on tours of their work sites, and commit to interview the program graduates for potential employment.
nThe training is underwritten with state and federal grants and is provided free of charge to participating businesses and unemployed workers.