Community colleges could learn a lot by adopting learning technologies from private enterprise and, in the process, would better prepare students for what they can expect in the world of work. The greatest hurdle, however, is how this country thinks about employment and training programs. Too often these programs are seen as serving only the margins of society. Public attitudes and policies must change so that these programs move from the margins to the mainstream. This will require community colleges to become even more involved and to assume a leadership role in the political process of redefining national priorities.
Community colleges are wonderful, flexible, innovative, entrepreneurial institutions.
They are fortunate that their mission takes them at this critical juncture to the intersection of education, jobs, economic development, workforce preparation, and reform. This article is excerpted from a keynote address to the Workforce 2000 Conference in New Orleans, LA, February, 1994. Copyright 1999 League for Innovation in Community College. All rights reserved.