Your Economic Development/Community College Check List

Before you begin the process of collaborative work with your local community college, consider the following questions:

Are you clear on what your economic development agency wants and needs?

• What is the vision you have for your community?
• How does the community college fit in the comprehensive economic development plan?
• Does the vision require workforce development? What training is required for current and potential employees?
• What are the resources needed?
• How can your vision build capacity for the community as a whole?

How well do you know your community college?

• Does the college offer educational programs that correspond to current workforce opportunities?
• How has the college responded to emerging labor market needs, both for current and prospective employers?
• How quickly does the college respond?
• What current training programs are available from the local/nearby community college?
• Can you cite an example of an employment need that was addressed quickly and competently by the college in the past two years?
• Does the college have programs that educate low-skilled and low-literacy adults?
• Do you have a contact at the college?
• Do you understand the college’s key challenges?

What other partners should be in the mix?

• With your clear goals in mind, what additional partners should be considered in an alliance – such as workforce investment boards, industry partners, employer organizations, local foundations and other agencies?
• What resources could these partners bring to the collaboration?
• What outcomes would these partners need from a collaboration?

The U.S. Department of Education published a series of guides highlighting the innovative ways in which community colleges are anticipating and responding to market demands of their localities and regions. “The 21st Century Community College: A Strategic Guide to Maximizing Labor Market Responsiveness” is available online at www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae.