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Community colleges create essential opportunities for a diverse student population to learn new skills, participate in job-training and short-term credential programs, and earn their associate degree. The more than 1,000 community colleges in the United States serve about 44 percent of the undergraduate population, providing not only the skills necessary to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation but also general education courses and help transferring to four-year institutions.1
Community colleges serve primarily underserved communities2—including students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds,3 older learners,4 and students from underrepresented groups.5 With flexible offerings, relatively affordable tuition, and a focus on fostering workforce development, community colleges offer a blend of work-based and classroom learning that ensures students gain both practical experience and academic knowledge.
Community colleges support and drive workforce development in five ways, fostering a more skilled and competitive American labor force:
- Community colleges offer work-based and experiential learning opportunities. Through the “alignment of classroom and workplace learning, application of academic, technical and employability skills in a work setting, and support from classroom or workplace mentors,” work-based learning programs help prepare students to enter the workforce.6 These programs create opportunities for students to build relationships in given industries and gain hands-on experiences through apprenticeships, internships, or other on-the-job training opportunities.
- Community colleges can work with employers to shape tomorrow’s workforce. Employer partnerships are agreements between community colleges and various organizations—such as local businesses, industry groups, unions, and other sector partners—to create educational and training opportunities closely aligned with workforce needs.7 These partnerships can involve varying degrees of employer contributions, such as offering staff, funding, facilities, labor market insights, and leadership support to achieve shared goals. In these partnerships, employers and community colleges share responsibility for student success while addressing local workforce needs.8
- Community colleges play a crucial role in helping students transition from education to employment. Community colleges are particularly well-positioned to tailor career support and guidance, as they often provide more industry-aligned curricula and hands-on learning experiences than four-year institutions. For instance, many community colleges have resource centers that assist with mock interviews and résumé reviews, ensuring students are well-prepared for the job market.9 Community colleges work closely with local businesses to create partnerships that help students gain valuable workplace skills and therefore are well-positioned to guide their students to and through the interview process. Additionally, because community colleges are closely connected to local industry needs, they can tailor their programs to match specific regional demands in a way that larger universities often cannot.
- Community colleges offer flexible learning options to serve a diverse population of students. Community colleges offer both credit and noncredit programs, giving 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, community colleges offer both adult learning and English as a second language services, further expanding access to education for a broader audience.10
- Community colleges drive local economic development. 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 their 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 local communities and the U.S. economy at large.