What: Industry clusters have become the new mantra for economic development policy. A cluster develops when enough similar, related, or complementary businesses locate in a region to give firms a collective advantage. Clustering, however, is first and foremost influenced by access to talent—by concentrations of experienced and skilled labor and by the availability of the customized and specialized education and training that produces and upgrades skills and knowledge. In no area are clusters more dependent on the state, the biggest single investor in education and training, or on community and technical colleges, the major provider.Who: Community colleges are one of the most important, but often neglected resources that fuels the development, sustainability and economic impact of an industry cluster. Community colleges provide an ample workforce with particular skills and experiences needed by the cluster, thus providing economic opportunity for individuals in the local community. Why: Compiled by Regional Technology Strategies, Inc. through support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the compendium demonstrates that community colleges are effectively contributing to the growth of their economies, improving the employment and economic opportunities of their students, and operating more cost-efficiently. This research also suggests that local economies and their industry clusters can benefit from strengthening linkages with community colleges How: We anticipate this compendium will be useful to policy makers, practitioners within education, economic developers and employers. To view a more detailed introduction to this project, please click here. This web site hosts a searchable compendium that highlights two-year colleges that have developed specialized programs and/or services with strong links to specific industry clusters. When: Now! Click the browse or search links above to enter the compendium. |