When I see news like this, it reminds me how fundamentally important the local community colleges are. In this case, it’s Iowa’s private sector, wondering whether there will be enough skilled workers to fill positions, when more higher-paying, technical manufacturing jobs come online. Most manufacturers in the US report job gains, but in positions that require analytical problem solving in areas such as precision spot-welding, and reading schematics. This is good news, but large industry requires the education system to outfit the workforce with these high-level vocational skills.
Whenever I see large industry calling for large-scale change (Texas going nuclear, health care asking for nurses, are 2 examples), I see the local CC receiving the investment. More people look to the CC for more personal life change than it gets credit. I can’t wait to spend time spreading the next acropolis system within this ecosystem.
Founder's blog: Stefan Bund 