Shortage of Middle skills workers is looming: How does this affect academic policy decisions?

Welcome back to my distance learning blog!

As I was doing research and thinking about how academics are affected by our present economy, I came across an article in the online site NHBR.com a business resource site for New Hampshire. Before sharing this article with you let me first offer this advice from Gellman-Danley & Fetzner (1998) ,who say that one of the most important aspects to consider when designing and creating online programs is needs assessment.

The article on NHBR directly addresses the economic needs assessment of our 2st century and states that "...the U.S. Department of Labor estimates that in just four years there will be a shortage of more than 10 million skilled workers."

"Middle-skill jobs include construction workers, welders, HVAC technicians, medical assistants, nurses, firefighter/EMTs, childcare workers, electricians and other positions that are crucial to New Hampshire's infrastructure and health. According to the national Skills2Compete Campaign, the pathway to 45 percent of America's good jobs is a certificate or associate degree earned at a community or technical college."

"In New Hampshire, Governor Lynch and the Legislature have created the Job Training Grant, which funds 50 percent of the cost of employee training to help New Hampshire companies upgrade the skills of their workforce. Under the grant, New Hampshire's community colleges are the "trainers of the first resort."

I believe that the future shortage of middle skill workers is applicable to the needs assessment nationwide as community and technical colleges find themselves in budget shortfalls. These budget shortfalls can be remediated and at the same time, people can be trained in important and critical jobs, leading to a strong state economy with well trained citizens who are contributing to their families wellbeing.

To view the complete article click here.

References:
Gellman-Danley, Barbara & Fetzner, Marie, J. (1998). Asking the really tough questions: Policy issues for Distance Learning. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, vol. 1 (1), University of West Georgia, Distance Education.

Thanks again for taking time to read my blog,
Diane

Governance of the New Hampshire System of Community Colleges

Hello and thank you for coming back!

Today I'm discussing governance. This is what I found out. The online learning programs within the community college system of New Hampshire are under the governance rules of the Colleges' Board of Trustees. The members represent business, industry, education, health care, law enforcement, vocational education, technology, labor, students and alumni. The Board executes all policies and procedures of the Foundation in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Agreement, the By-Laws, and the Statues of the State of New Hampshire.

The Community Colleges of NH Foundation (CCNHF)was incorporated in 2002 for the purpose of securing funds and grants to supplement and enhance the System's traditional revenue sources. It is the official entity for managing private resources for the Community College System of New Hampshire, and is overseen by a Board of Directors.

The Foundation is a 501(c) (3) organization which operated independently, but in conjunction with, the colleges. The Foundation provides student scholarship assistance, faculty and staff enrichment programs, educational facilities and support for innovative programs.

The vision of the Foundation is "Access for All". "Well run programs take time to develop or reformulate strong governance infrastructures before the courses are offered... advance policy deliberation and development is extremely important." (Gellman-Danley & Fetzner, 1998). From researching the governance infrastructure and policy decisions of the NH Community Colleges, it appears they are doing a good job of providing online and traditional education to the citizens of New Hampshire. Two hundred and three online classes are currently offered with a substantial online support center. Enrollment has increased during the past 10 years; please click here for press release.

And it appears the Community College System has enough of a budget to allow for some major capitol improvements! Click here for the list of CI's.

Thanks again for reading! I'll be back tomorrow with some information about Academics at the New Hampshire Community College System.
Cheers!
Diane

References:
Gellman-Danley, Barbara & Fetzner, Marie, J. (1998). Asking the really tough questions: Policy Issues for Distance Learning. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration. V 1, (1), University of West Georgia, Distance Education.

Who, What, Where, When and How?

Hello and Welcome to my blog!

In this blog I will be exploring the uses of distance learning in higher education, K-12, business and government, identifying issues in these learning communities and sharing with you how to find important distance learning resources.

In searching the internet I found dozens of world wide distance learning associations dedicated to promoting development, training and application of distance education in K-12, college and university, military, government and business. Please see my side bar with several of these websites. As a science teacher interested in human health and environmental issues, my focus will be on how to help organizations integrate distance learning into their programs.

In a few months I will be relocating to New Hampshire and I am in the process of employment hunting. New Hampshire has a community college system with a dozen campuses located across the state and a distance education department which currently offers (203) 100% online classes. I am hoping to find work as an adjunct instructor, and/or within the distance learning department.

What types of issues is the state of New Hampshire dealing with? Well, let's talk about the positive side first. Enrollment at community colleges has been on the increase, Community Colleges Report Increased Enrollment. (CCSNH news).

See also The Community College Enrollment Boom.

Initiatives maintained by the Governor, John Lynch, over the past 2 years include:

Project Running Start, run by New Hampshire's Community Technical College System, opens the door to college for many students. It allows high school students to take college-level classes right at their own local schools. They can earn credits that are transferable to colleges across the nation. That is why this budget provides the funding necessary to double the number of students enrolled in Project Running Start.

The community technical college system plays a critical role in the training of NH workforce and in expanding opportunities for citizens. NH's budget invests in strengthening the community technical colleges and in keeping them affordable with an additional $10 million budgeted over the biennium.

To keep our public colleges and universities vibrant, we must also make sure they have up-to-date facilities. That is why the capital budget keeps the promise we made to the University System and provides $39.5 million to continue to upgrade its academic buildings. And it provides $17 million in general funds, and $32 million overall, to the community technical college system, including money to build a health education technology center in Nashua; to build a health education center in Concord; and to renovate the Pease campus.

So the state budget and the demand for community college education places New Hampshire in a favorable position to continue to develop its distance learning community. I'm hoping to become part of it.

Please check back tomorrow when I'll be talking about academic and governance issues.

Thanks! Diane