The Community College and the Human Resources Development Council [microform] : Toward a National Training Strategy for the United States / Seymour Eskow

The key to economic renewal in the United States is a national human resources development strategy in which community colleges assume the national training role. This national strategy must recognize changes in the American economy and workforce, such as a more educated labor force, the demographics of developing countries, the increased participation of women in the workforce, the transition to a postindustrial economy based on service rather than manufacturing, and the dependence of economic health on exports. This strategy must focus on promoting business/industry collaboration, community- and industry-specific training programs, lifelong access to training and retraining for workers, the fulfillment of the training needs of large businesses and small enterprises, and work experience for youth. As part of the strategy, audits should be conducted of a community's educational and training programs and their effectiveness in teaching basic skills and the new literacies and in meeting the needs of entry-level, currently employed, and displaced workers. To assist in these efforts, the Association of Community College Trustees and the Business and Industry Community College Coalition propose the formation of a Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) in every community college to: (1) create business and industry diffusion networks; (2) coordinate and evaluate community training programs; (3) create a master training plan and strategy; (4) introduce new training programs; and (5) bring educational and training resources into the community. (LAL)