PITTSBURGH-The Community College of Allegheny County, Catalyst
Connection and DMI Industries joined 50 other business leaders and
community college partners from 15 states in Washington, D.C., this
month to speak with senators and representatives, including
leadership on the Senate and House education and workforce
committees, to discuss the critical role that small- and
medium-sized businesses should play as Congress develops and
modernizes education and workforce policies. The attendees urged
lawmakers to close the skills gap and invest in strategies that
develop a pipeline of skilled, trained workers that meets the
demand of growing industries.
At the meeting, dubbed the BLU (Business Leaders United) Fly-In,
attendees discussed the need for Congress to modernize the Higher
Education Act so it better supports today's students, who often
work and attend school part time and who aren't necessarily earning
four-year degrees. The business leaders and community college
partners asked that Pell Grants be extended to career-oriented
students in short-term programs that lead to better-paying jobs in
in-demand fields, and to make postsecondary outcomes data easier
for students and businesses to access.
"Congress passed the Perkins Act this year, which is a
much-needed investment in career and technical education; however,
there are other things Congress can do to close the skills gap and
make it easier for businesses to find trained, skilled
workers," said CCAC's Vice President for Workforce
Development Theresa Bryant, who attended the conference. "Our
country should support people who want to get the education and
training they need to enter growing fields such as advanced
manufacturing. And we should support partnerships between colleges
and businesses that work together to build a pipeline of workers
with in-demand skills."
The attendees also asked Congress to invest in collaborations
between businesses and community colleges known as "sector
partnerships," which is a proven strategy for building a pipeline
of qualified, trained employees and can help facilitate the
advancement of workers at all skill levels.