Partnerships for a Growing America. Cabrillo College SBDC Director Teresa Thomae was invited to participate in the summit by Congressman Sam Farr. Farr, was responsible for the some of the initial legislation which started the Small Business Development Center, funded by the Small Business Administration. The summit was called by Congressman Dick Gephardt, MO, for congressional Democrats to better understand the needs of the economy, says Thomae. The emphasis was on workforce development, says Thomae, and what an important role education plays.
Education has to be a carefully examined collaboration between business and education.
Cabrillo College has a highly developed Contract and Community Education program in place led by Director Ann Stanley. Stanley has worked for Cabrillo College for nine years and has a background in business. The Cabrillo program was used as an example at the conference because of the Small Business Development Center's involvement as a liaison between business and education. Many at the summit spoke about a community college's ability to design quick, cost-effective training programs for industry. All community colleges throughout the state are responding to this incredible demand to train employees in specific skills.