College graduation is among the most significant milestones one can reach. It is the pinnacle of the invested effort, hours of studying, and dedication. And after that comes what most people strive for: a stable and secure job. Community college and university students are no different in these hopes and aspirations.
Younger Millennials and Gen Z gave a new name (The Quiet Quitting) to an old idea – doing what you’re paid for and not going the extra mile for an employer. On the flip side, the recession and lack of skilled talent forced employers to commit to boosting employee productivity and weeding out low performers.
Despite being essential for developing skilled students and contributing to America’s workforce, the partnership between community colleges and employers is below the needed level. Their collaboration has been consistently deteriorating over time, reaching the point of not being enough to meet the nation’s need to provide aspiring employees with the knowledge and capabilities necessary to fill crucial middle-skills jobs.
Throughout history, the community college has significantly helped America’s economic prosperity, providing it with qualified middle-skills workers. For more than a century, it has been a crucial higher-learning institution due to being a local source of accessibility.
Everyone’s path toward higher education is different, and not everyone can reach it. But even when students graduate, many struggle with getting a chance from employers. Although many business leaders perceive a four-year degree requirement as something that should be normal and expected, that shouldn’t be the case.
