Record enrollment at career and technical colleges for second year
November 30th, 2009 by marietta nelsonWarning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/psblogs/public_html/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821
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Not surprisingly, the state’s community and technical colleges are experiencing record enrollments again this fall. If you can’t get a job, you might as well retrain, right?
According to the press release below, the colleges will ask the state for more money in the next legislative session, but that’s pretty unrealistic given the huge cuts expected because state revenues continue to fall.
Public education institutions have been cutting budgets since I started covering them (off and on) almost 10 years ago. And they were probably doing it before that. Will it ever end?
If you’re planning to attend the education financing forum with Rep. Christine Rolfes tonight in CK, a question about community and technical college funding might be appropriate.
Here’s the press release:
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) announced record fall enrollments at the state’s 34 community and technical colleges. Fall enrollments are estimated to reach 146,500 full-time equivalent students, an increase of nearly 9.5% over last fall’s record enrollment levels. For the year, enrollments are estimated at 162,000 FTES.
Last year, much of the growth was attributed to the troubled economy because, historically, college enrollments increase during economic downturns. That trend continues this academic year.
“We all hoped for a quicker economic recovery, but it’s clear now the effects of the recession are lingering,” said Charlie Earl, SBCTC executive director. “Student demand for college programs just continues to grow as more people recognize their aspirations depend on higher levels of education.”
Enrollment growth is up in every category, including college/university transfer, workforce training, and basic skills (adult literacy).
“People know the pathway to a better job and a better life includes the knowledge and skills they can get by going to college,” said Jim Bricker, SBCTC board chair. “A high school diploma simply isn’t enough anymore. That is why community and technical colleges were created. They are ‘the people’s institutions,’ which is why—even with large budget cuts this year—two-year colleges are working hard in their communities to keep the doors open and be accessible for those who need them the most right now.”
Enrollment in the Worker Retraining Program has increased 77% over last fall. The program helps laid-off workers—or those in declining industry jobs—to retrain for new careers. With job placement rates above 80% and wage recovery levels ranging between 87% and 118%, this program is working for those who need it most and is well worth the state’s investment.
“Thousands of people have turned to us for Worker Retraining during the last year, but this unprecedented demand means we are out of money to serve them,” said Jill Wakefield, chancellor of the Seattle Community College District, which includes four Seattle campuses serving more than 14,500 FTES. “As the economy picks up, the jobs that will grow are not necessarily the same ones we lost. If we want this recovery to really take off, we need to invest in training for the jobs of the future—green technology, global health, nanotechnology, and business technology.”
Of Worker Retraining funds allocated to colleges, a portion goes to the student for tuition assistance and the remainder goes to the college to pay for instruction.
“But even if there were enough for each student, it still doesn’t cover their education,” Wakefield said. “The $1,300 designated for tuition has not increased in over a decade, while tuition has doubled during that time. “Students turn to us for training, hope and confidence,” Wakefield added, “but we can’t patch together enough resources right now to serve them all.”
The community and technical college system is seeking additional support from the Legislature in January to shore up the Worker Retraining Program.
“We know the state is facing an additional deficit, but we truly believe that slashing higher education will only prolong the recession and, ultimately, weaken the state’s recovery,” said Charlie Earl. “The Legislature is in a very difficult position, but we can’t hesitate to seek help for the thousands of laid off workers, the businesses that need training assistance for their workers, or anything else that strengthens Washington’s economy in the short and long term.”
Tags: Funding, Legislature
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
December 1st, 2009 at 3:14 pm
More indicators that Public education is failing tax payers?
As I stated earlier for you, employers need qualified workers, and they are not getting them out of High School. The only thing that has changed has been the type of education that the students recieve. This is not fully directed at the educators, but also the parents.
Since I am a father, I will direct my comments more towards the sex that I can best identify with. Pardon me.
To “ride, shoot straight and tell the truth” was an addage from the Old West but still rings true today. Todays youth are faced with many problems that I didn’t face growing up. The roles men and women where defind differently.
Today we see young men behaving in a manner incosistent with true manhood. Instead of learning an occupation, helping with farm chores and such, they are learning to “hang-out”, “bum-around”, and play X-box, Wii, or Play-Station. Look at today’s metro sexual. You have a male who primps himself like a girl, and instead of behaving in a manly manner, he uses a woman’s charms of emotional embellishment, and sensitivity, which are attributes not best exemplified by men. I personally believe that a part of this is due to enabling by women who want a man that is non-threatening and a good listener. The major portion has to be heaped on the fathers that have checked out of their sons lives.
As a Union electrician, we have a class that we call COMET, (Construction Organizing Membership Education Training). Basically it calls the member out on the carpet to show him, or her that they are accountable for their actions.
YOU must be willing to take responsibility for yourself.
YOU must take responsibility for your actions, behavior and attitude on the job.
YOU must take responsibility for being at work, every day, on time.
YOU must take responsibility for the hours YOU are paid for.
YOU must take responsibility to be a drug-and-alcohol-free worker.
YOU must take responsibility for using the proper tools and working safely at all times.
YOU must take responsibility for treating your co-workers, supervisors and stewards with respect.
YOU must know what is expected of YOU and exceed those expectations every day.
YOU must understand that, as an IBEW electrician, YOU are not only representing yourself, but every other electrician in the IBEW, in the eyes of the public, the customers, contractors, and unorganized electricians…YOU are the IBEW.
These may seem like common sense to you…but then, why do we have to spend so much time and money to train our new Apprentices these?
Todays youth need firm boundries and goals, that is why the WASL is so appealing to many people. It holds kids accountable for their actions, so that the Tax payers don’t have to pay for an extended education, and gives them the tools to hold down a family wage jobs upon graduating from High School.
Your article just reafirms what is allready known. We as a society must take a different approach to education if we are to stay on top as a dominate world power.
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:19 pm
The big difference in our future work force is that it will really need more then a HS Education . Trade Schools or further academics is becoming more important as we become less of manufacturing nation .
I would love to see jobs come back in manufacturing , but I sure would promote education and school now , and will vote for people who do that in public office.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:53 am
Dear Marietta,
Thank you for your beautiful article about Katie’s Comforters. I appreciate the time and effort you put into telling the story, and telling it so clearly. Blessings to you!
Karen Gerstenberger