Community colleges leading the way in closing the skilled labor gap
Despite immense demand, few young adults are pursuing careers in skilled trades. Community colleges across Virginia are working to provide a supply of trained workers desperately needed to meet this demand.
By: Eli Lamport
Nov. 12, 2024
Roanoke, VA, Nov. 6, 2024 - A lab classroom in Webber Hall on the campus of Virginia Western Community College. This lab is set up for training courses in HVAC. Photo: Eli Lamport
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America's community and technical colleges are playing a central role in the ongoing effort to expand the size of the skilled labor pool. Virginia's community college system is one of the most robust in the country. Dr. Jeanne Symanoskie, coordinator of New River Community College's (NRCC) workforce development office, explains "the way it's set up is that you can't travel more than 30 miles in any direction within the state and not find a community college."
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A key aspect of Dr. Symanoskie's workforce development program is tailoring class and certification offerings to the needs of local employers. "The purpose of workforce development is to respond to business needs first and foremost." There is no employer in the New River Valley of greater importance than Volvo Trucks. Their plant in Dublin, Virginia employs 3,600 people, and works closely with NRCC to train and educate many of its employees.
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For example, Volvo may request a training course in Microsoft Excel for a group of their employees. Dr. Symanoskie would then schedule the training in a way that would allow the employees to work their normal shifts and still complete the training.
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When gauging optimism regarding the skilled labor shortage amongst community college administrators, it's a mixed bag. "We are still behind the curve when it comes to filling demand," says Dr. Symanoskie. There are positive signs however, enrollment in workforce development programs at NRCC have been steadily rising over the last 4 years according to Dr. Symanoskie.
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In some ways, the skilled labor shortage seen across the United States makes perfect sense. Skilled labor jobs, also referred to as "trades" are physically demanding, often require long hours and unusual schedules, and have garnered a reputation as dirty, lower class jobs. However, there are also facts that make the continued struggle to convince people to enter fields like plumbing, welding, and HVAC more confusing. After all, college is more expensive than ever (most trades do not require a four year degree), and the demand for these jobs is higher than ever, which allows workers in the industry to "name their price" without issue.
This infographic uses data to provide additional context regarding the skilled labor shortage
To view on web: https://infogram.com/reporting2-infographic-1hnq41on075yp23?live