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How Community Colleges Support Economic Clusters

A new report from Regional Technology Strategies underscores the critical role of community and technical colleges in supporting the growth of economic clusters.

Contact: Neil Ridley
Employment & Social Services Policy Studies NGA Center for Best Practices

Clusters are distinct groups of competing and cooperating companies and organizations in a geographical region. As the report indicates, the key to success of almost every cluster is the presence of a labor force with the skills and knowledge needed by industries within the region.

Community and technical colleges are well positioned to respond to the education and training needs of industry clusters. The report argues that states need one or more "cluster centers"—community or technical colleges that understand industry’s needs, upgrade the skills of current workers, and ensure a continuing flow of qualified new workers. Cluster centers play a variety of roles, including:

* Designing curriculum and delivering education and training programs

* Providing support and infrastructure for industry clusters

* Providing information on benchmarking, industry trends and projections

* Conducting assessments and measuring performance

* Establishing connections with public and private partners

* Cluster-Based Workforce Development: a Community College Approach http://www.rtsinc.org/publications/Whitepapers4%20doc.pdf

http://www.nga.org/center/frontAndCenter/1,1188,C_FRONT_CENTER%5ED_5624,00.html

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