President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at expanding workforce development, with the goal of creating 1 million new active apprenticeships.1 Two days later in a committee blog post celebrating National Apprenticeship Day, members of the House Committee on Education and Workforce warned about the ever-growing skills gap among U.S. workers and the need to bolster apprenticeships.2 However, neither the executive order nor the blog post calls for greater investment in the institutions and programs that are already helping to upskill America’s workforce. As the nation confronts a growing need for more skilled workers in the trades and other high-demand sectors, community colleges are emerging as an essential tool.
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Community colleges already play a critical role in preparing a diverse student population for either immediate entry into the workforce upon completion of their program or transfer to a four-year institution. These colleges provide opportunities for individuals to learn new skills, participate in job training and short-term credential programs, and earn their associate degree. There are more than 1,000 community colleges in the United States, serving about 44 percent of the undergraduate population through general education courses.3 Notably, community colleges primarily serve underserved communities,4 including students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds,5 older learners,6 and students from underrepresented groups, such as Black and Hispanic students.7 In doing so, they offer pathways to higher education and training opportunities. Their flexible offerings, relatively affordable tuition, and focus on fostering workforce development provide students opportunities to bridge the skills gap in high-demand local industries. Additionally, community colleges offer a blend of work-based and classroom learning that ensures students gain both practical experience and academic knowledge.
If this administration is genuinely committed to expanding workforce development and upskilling the nation’s workers, it should work toward directing greater investment in community colleges, which are already equipped to lead this charge. This issue brief details five ways in which community colleges support and drive workforce development to foster a more skilled and competitive American labor force.
Read the accompanying fact sheet
1. Community colleges offer work-based and experiential learning opportunities
Work-based learning programs are an important tool for students, creating opportunities for them to build relationships in their desired industries and gain hands-on experiences via apprenticeships, internships, and other on-the-job training opportunities. By aligning classroom teaching with real-world experiences and allowing students to apply learned skills in work settings, these programs help prepare students to enter the workforce with competence and confidence.8
Community colleges are well-suited to provide the academic instruction necessary to complement effective work-based learning programs and short-term training for students starting their careers or looking to pivot into a new field. They offer a more affordable and accessible hub for students to learn new skills, retrain, or earn the credits necessary to transfer to a four-year institution.9 In particular, their partnerships with the local communities and associated businesses that provide work-based learning opportunities give employers access to new talent and help communities adapt quickly to shifting economic needs.
Different types of work-based and experiential learning
- Career and technical education (CTE): A CTE program, through a combination of classroom learning and hands-on work experience, equips young people for careers that are both in demand and well-paying.10
- Cooperative education (co-op): In co-op education, students alternate between academic semesters and paid, full-time work in their field of study, where they can gain practical hands-on experience while earning college credit.11
- Internships: Internships are typically temporary positions for students—either paid or unpaid—where they use what they have learned in school to tackle real-world work.12
- Practicums: Practicums, most commonly used in sectors such as nursing, psychology, social work, or education, require students to observe and document how professionals perform their job responsibilities. Students often perform tasks under the supervision of program professors or other staff.13
- Registered apprenticeships: These opportunities are, according to Apprenticeship.gov, “industry-driven, high-quality career pathway[s] where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience with a mentor, receive progressive wage increases, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.”14
- Work-based learning (WBL): There are inconsistent definitions of what constitutes work-based learning, and the research around WBL at community colleges is limited.15 Jobs for the Future defines it as “a student or worker completing meaningful job tasks in a workplace that develop readiness for work, knowledge, and skills that support entry or advancement in a particular career field.”16
There are several benefits to work-based learning or experiential models for both students and employers. These opportunities allow students to learn in environments that focus on “the technical, academic, and interpersonal skills they need to function in a workplace [environment]” and allow them to gain the precise skills and credentials that employers are looking for.17 Employers use some apprenticeship and internship opportunities as talent pipelines into full-time positions, benefiting from access to a pool of students who are learning the latest technologies and innovations related to their field.18 Evidence also suggests that employers who participate in these programs observe lower staff turnover rates, are able to create a more diverse workforce environment, and foster the growth of a more talented labor pipeline.19
2. Community colleges can work with employers to shape tomorrow’s workforce
Community colleges can enter into employer partnerships with various organizations—such as local businesses, industry groups, unions, and other sector partners—to create educational and training opportunities for students that are closely aligned with existing workforce needs.20 These partnerships can involve different degrees of employer contributions, ranging from offering staff, funding, and facilities to providing labor market insights or leadership support to achieve shared goals. In these partnerships, employers and community colleges share the responsibility for student success while addressing local workforce needs.21 Community colleges can foster partnerships with local employers to identify the skills gap and therefore align their programs with workforce demands. They can also work to create professional development programs for faculty and staff to better understand “industry trends, employer expectations, and strategies for effectively preparing students for the workforce.”22
An example of sectoral partnerships between community colleges and employers are those funded by the Good Jobs Challenge (GJC), created during the Biden-Harris administration and administered by the Economic Development Administration. The GJC aims to create partnerships between institutions and communities to help those communities develop strategies for workforce development and the provision of training for high-demand, well-paying jobs.23 For example, the Foundation for California Community Colleges is leading a project to address the state’s wildfire crisis by fostering forestry careers.24 This initiative aims to partner with local industry to expand training in forest health and fire safety across the state. Meanwhile, Illinois Central College is leading a project to address growing IT industry needs. The project aims to develop skilled tech and cybersecurity professionals to support businesses, both large and small, including JPMorgan Chase and OSF HealthCare.25 These two companies have committed to hiring trainees and offering additional support services with the goal of certifying more than 1,200 individuals over the next three years and to “place or retain 1,000 in quality jobs.”26
Indeed, such collaborations can serve as direct paths from training programs to jobs, as employers are typically involved in curriculum development, which helps to create a strong alignment between what the labor market is looking for and what students are learning on campus.27 In turn, research has shown that relationships between employers and community colleges can lead to an increase in program quality, job placement and satisfaction rates, and student success.28 These partnerships also serve to address workforce shortages in high-demand fields while closing the skills gap between what students learn in the classroom and what local employers value.29
3. Community colleges play a crucial role in helping students transition from education to employment
Studies have noted how recent college graduates may be lacking the necessary skills to prepare themselves for careers and employment30—and thus find themselves unprepared to successfully enter and stay in the workforce.31 Institutions must prioritize career readiness and development services by allocating the resources necessary to support them.
Community colleges are particularly well-positioned to offer this support. As discussed above, they often provide more industry-aligned curricula and hands-on learning experiences than four-year institutions, working closely with local businesses to create partnerships that help students gain valuable workplace skills. For instance, many community colleges have resource centers that assist with mock interviews and resume reviews to ensure students are well-prepared for the job market.32 And because community colleges are closely connected to the needs of local industries, they can tailor their programs to match specific regional demands in a way that larger universities often cannot. Resource centers play a significant role in helping students transition into the workforce,33 with one study showing that community college students are more likely to engage with career services. For example, in a 2023 survey from Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse, 53 percent of two-year students reported that they have “benefited from career center help in choosing a major,” compared with 38 percent of their counterparts at four-year institutions.34
Tailored career support and guidance, along with other wraparound services, play a crucial role in helping students succeed.35 Offering career counseling and job placement services not only enhances career readiness but also improves employability.36 A 2017 Bureau of Labor and Statistics study found: “Since 2012, people with some college or an associate’s degree have made up the largest share of the U.S. civilian labor force compared to all other major categories of educational attainment.”37 By offering these services, community colleges help bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring students are better prepared for successful careers.
4. Community colleges offer flexible learning options to serve a diverse population of students
Community colleges provide a wide range of flexible educational opportunities that cater to diverse student needs. Both credit and noncredit programs give students the chance to either enrich their existing skills or develop new ones in relevant fields. This flexibility makes community colleges an attractive option for a variety of learners, whether they are looking to transfer to a four-year university, earn a certificate, or simply take courses to enhance their professional qualifications. Additionally, several community colleges offer adult learning services and support for English language learners, further expanding access to education for a broader audience.38
One study by U.S. News & World Report found that 32 percent of students enrolled at community colleges are 25 or older and that many of them are seeking new career opportunities or are aiming to develop skills for career advancement.39 Adult learners often balance education with work or other daytime responsibilities, which can make traditional class schedules challenging. By offering evening or weekend classes, community colleges provide these individuals with the flexibility to pursue their higher education goals without disrupting their personal or professional commitments. As discussed above, community colleges also offer career services and work-based learning opportunities, which further support adult learners in reskilling or advancing their careers.40
In addition, community colleges play a vital role in providing flexibility for student-parents and individuals with caregiving responsibilities. Recent studies show that student-parents are more likely to attend community and technical colleges than nonparenting students and that many of these student-parents are women, women of color, and older individuals.41 The traditional campus life and rigid course schedules of four-year colleges often present significant barriers for student-parents looking to enroll in and complete higher education. However, community colleges have worked to address these challenges by offering evening classes, online courses, and part-time programs. Some community colleges have even created programs specifically designed to support their student-parents’ education journey and enable them to earn their degrees.42 For instance, Miami Dade College’s Mission North Star program helps student-parents navigate the demands of both parenting and academics, ensuring that they have the resources they need to succeed in their higher education pursuits.43
These diverse offerings play a significant role in workforce development by equipping students with skills that are directly aligned with job market demands. Whether these programs offer technical certification or skill-building courses, they support workforce readiness and contribute to a more skilled and adaptive labor force.44 The ability to gain practical, relevant skills at a community college ensures that students are well-prepared to enter the workforce or advance in their careers.
5. Community colleges drive local economic development
Community colleges play a key role in driving economic development within their local communities by acting as employers and creating job opportunities.45 Their presence also provides education and training to students.46
Moreover, in the way that larger institutions are typically recognized as “anchors” of economic development,47 community colleges are often seen as anchors of communities themselves—particularly rural communities48—as they create employment, training, and support for local businesses. Community colleges are deeply integrated into their local regions, often serving key players, partnering with local businesses, adapting their programs to meet the unique needs of their community, and serving as hubs for vital services and resources.49
For example, in the fall of 2022, 10.2 million students were enrolled in a community college, with 6.1 million of those students enrolled in for-credit programs and 4.1 million enrolled in a noncredit program.50 Furthermore, one study found that in fiscal year 2019–2020, former community college students contributed $898.5 billion to the economy, the equivalent of 10.7 million jobs, or roughly one out of every 18 jobs in the country.51 This economic impact is equivalent to 4.1 percent of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).52 During the same period, 9.8 million students were enrolled in community colleges, investing $58 billion in tuition, opportunity costs, and student loans.53 These students are projected to earn an additional $265.2 billion over their lifetimes, yielding a return of $4.60 for every dollar invested.54 Additionally, the significant societal investment in community colleges, $110.7 billion, is poised to generate an estimated $1.3 trillion in future earnings and $35.8 billion in social savings, delivering $11.60 in benefits for every dollar invested.55 Community colleges are more than just educational institutions; they are also critical economic engines within their communities.
Investing in community colleges for the purpose of boosting local economic development works to create a ripple effect that benefits both individuals and the broader workforce. By fostering skill development and providing access to higher education, community colleges help cultivate a more competitive and qualified labor force. This, in turn, supports local businesses and industries by ensuring they have access to a skilled talent pool, which ultimately contributes to long-term economic growth. The stronger the connection between community colleges and local economies, the more resilient and adaptable the workforce becomes, benefiting both local communities and the larger American economy.
See also
Conclusion
Community colleges are vital institutions that provide accessible, affordable education and skill development opportunities for a diverse range of students, particularly those from underserved communities. Community colleges’ flexible programs, workforce-focused training, and strong connections to local industries not only help students gain practical experience and academic knowledge but also contribute to local economic development. By preparing students for immediate workforce entry or seamless transfer to a four-year university, community colleges play a crucial role in closing the skills gap and fostering greater economic mobility.
If Congress is serious about strengthening the American workforce through skills and training opportunities, then investing in community colleges is not optional; it is essential. Although April was Community College Month, the commitment to supporting community colleges must extend to the entire year. Sustained investment in these institutions is one of the most effective ways to build a more equitable and competitive American economy.