Each year, the Workforce Alliance’s State of the Workforce report uses the latest economic data to illuminate issues that are shaping Connecticut’s employment picture. This 2008 was designed and produced by Granite Bay Design. Photography is by Harold Shapiro. Charts, graphs, maps and the cover composite are by Granite Bay Design. The cover montage uses a stock image as a background with photographer Shapiro’s images superimposed.
Download the full report here: State of the Workforce 2008 Report, 2.37 MB
“What becomes increasingly evident is the interconnectedness of many different factors in determining employment outcomes, everything from the availability of housing to a person’s ability to read and compute.
This year’s report focuses on post-secondary education, especially the role of Associate’s Degrees. Connecticut’s Community College system has grown and flourished in the past few decades. They have gone through many changes seeking the most appropriate ways to serve the students and businesses of the state.
The increase in facilities and in students has been nothing short of remarkable. This growth has tracked the increased complexity of even the simplest jobs in the modern economy. Serving traditional, 2-year, Associate’s Degree students is no longer the primary mission of the Community Colleges. Far more students use the colleges to advance their careers with certificate and non-degree courses that are tailored to specific industries. The Community Colleges have also expanded their importance as centers for personal growth and development.
Community Colleges in Connecticut have a unique and often daunting mandate: they are required to accept all applicants who possess a high school diploma or GED. Many of these applicants fared poorly in high school or adult education and require several remedial courses just to get started on their community college careers.
The need to improve the rudimentary skills of these students has a direct impact on the overall outcomes of a community college education. Recent research by Paul Harrington at the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University examines these outcomes in terms of student success rates and the transition of students into the workforce. His findings suggest the need for a basic shift in the delivery of Community College services.”
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