We re seeing an enlightened interest. Dr. David R. Pierce, president of the American Association of Community Colleges, believes that s because the American economy at this moment is the marvel of the world. One is a strong community college system. America s 1,250 community, junior and technical colleges conduct nearly half of all work-force training in the United States. The colleges deal with a range of situations, from people seeking to switch fields midcareer to customized classes tailored for specific industries, according to a report last year by the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Labor and Education.
Experts here say it s no wonder that foreign interest in duplicating the U.S. experience runs high.
Chase said many foreign delegations that visit the national association are interested in the short-term training that our institutions conduct. They want to know all about how we can provide those services. I think a lot of countries are realizing that, for various social and economic reasons, their people are vastly undereducated for the new economic demands today, she adds. Community colleges are geared to address those kinds of needs. Dr. Rebecca Brown, the director of international education programs for Maricopa Community Colleges, said, Many countries with developing economies such as Mexico are finding they have a surplus of people educated at the higher levels doctors, engineers, lawyers and the other professions and not enough people at the mid-level.