Clark College has invested heavily in keeping local companies competitive
In the midst of turmoil at Clark College, we would like to cast a vote of confidence for one area at the college that is serving our community well – Workforce Development and Continuing Education. The Vancouver Business Journal polled its audience almost two years ago, asking them about workforce development. Many business leaders didn’t understand the depth of the workforce crisis already hitting this area.
But Clark College knows.
The school knows that industries like high tech, manufacturing and health care are facing immediate needs for sophisticated and educated leaders. Companies need customized training for their staffs to raise productivity and increase employee retention as more jobs come online and people compete for positions globally in a virtual marketplace.
Clark College’s Corporate Education program offers training in foreign languages for supervisors, information technology, strategic planning and complex improvement processes.
Managers – ever trying to connect with staffers while exceeding bottom line expectations – have a tremendous development resource at the college’s Center for Leadership Excellence, including training in succession planning, coaching and mentoring, leading change and staff assessments. In the first quarter of this year, Customized Training secured $50,000 in contracts with companies such as Southwest Washington Medical Center, Toyota, nLight Corp. and Legacy Health Systems. This is a demonstrated need.
Partnering with other workforce development organizations makes it happen.
Last fall, Clark College and the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council teamed up to deliver customized training to employees at the Vancouver division of Shell Solar Industries. The council provided a $22,750 Local Demand Side Training grant. Shell Solar matched 60 percent of the funds with in-kind contributions. Clark College and Shell Solar worked together to address the company’s training needs.
A grant proposal, co-written with the Vancouver Housing Authority, Portland State University and the City of Vancouver, has been submitted to the Urban Land Institute to request $45,000 in funding to study business development opportunities and supporting activities along the East Fourth Plain Corridor. This newly formed partnership, Vancouver Community Action Network, potentially will provide funding for Clark College to offer classes and training for individuals seeking to start their own business.
A significant investment in staffing also has been made. Since her hire in mid 2004, Lisa Edwards, executive dean for workforce development, has worked to bridge a gap between the college and the business community. In February, Edwards was nominated to the board of the National Council for Continuing Education and Training.
Michelle Giovannozzi, corporate relations manager, was hired in April 2005, and Julia Maglione, manager of professional development, was hired in July. Todd Oldham, director of corporate education, was brought on in October. Alice Phillips is the new director of Workforce Education.
Surely leadership and vision played a significant role as Clark College made these investments in the community’s corporate infrastructure. Let’s hope the board of trustees keeps in mind the progress that has been made.
