Summary

In this episode of Develop This, Dennis Fraise is joined by Joe April with Convergent Nonprofit Solutions and Dr. John Rainone, President of Mountain Gateway Community College, to discuss the vital role of community colleges in workforce development. They share personal stories highlighting the transformative impact of community colleges, explore how these institutions are adopting entrepreneurial approaches to meet workforce needs, and discuss emerging trends in workforce development. The conversation also covers the importance of grants and public-private partnerships, the need for shared resources, and the challenges of collaboration among economic developers and educational institutions. The episode concludes with practical advice for economic developers on building relationships with community colleges. 

Takeaways

• Community colleges significantly impact individual lives and workforce development.
• Personal stories highlight the transformative power of education.
• Entrepreneurial approaches are essential for community colleges to meet workforce needs.
• Emerging trends include a focus on virtual options and apprenticeships.
• Public-private partnerships are crucial for funding workforce initiatives.
• Shared resources among colleges can enhance program offerings.
• Collaboration can be challenging, but it is necessary for success.
• Economic developers should actively engage with community college leaders.
• Diversifying revenue streams is vital for sustainability.
• Community colleges are valuable partners in economic development