Community, campus work to educate employees for area
by Javier Garcia, Reporter

    (In last week's edition of The Collegian, part 2 of this series was erroneously labeled as the final in the series. In actuality, this is the final in a series on the Workforce Program.)
    TCC and the Northeast business community have worked toward improving degree programs aligned with industry needs to help both students and the community.
    The NE Tarrant Workforce Program conducted a year-long study of the labor market in Northeast Tarrant County in 2002.
    Instructional changes as a result of the study are to help students in areas targeted by businesses.
    TCC's return investment of two-year degree programs is to upgrade a student's skills, attitude and motivation and advanced training for employment.
    These skills will be beneficial in a competitive workforce.
    The study, based on input from advisory committee members, chambers of commerce, economic development directors and educators, helped determined what TCC can improve for employers.
    Larry Darlage, president of NE Campus, credits Sally Proffitt for creating the program. "Sally involves business and community leaders in her educational leadership role at the college," he said.
    "Her innovative ideas and willingness to try new approaches help start it," he said.
    Sally Proffitt, business department chair, explained the benefit of advisory committees.
    "TCC uses advisory committees as sounding boards representing what the community needs from graduates of our degree programs," she said. "They recommended we call on the economic development directors of 11 cities with which NE Campus works."
    Proffitt said that the need for current labor market information was the recurring issue during the visits made to the city.
    "It was suggested that a way for ongoing dialogue between employers, economic directors and educators be created," she said.
    Charles Scoma, chairman of TCC Business Advisory Commit-tee, said the study would help classroom changes.
    "By keeping up with the needs of the business community, our Business Advisory Committee will be better prepared to give advice to TCC administration on educational needs," he said. "Courses can be altered, added or dropped if need be."
    According to the study, employees with minimal education can expect minimum-wage paying jobs, compared to employees with two-year degrees, who can expect advanced-level wages.
    Scoma said students in all educational fields would benefit from the study as businesses will turn to TCC for consideration when seeking qualified applicants for employment.
    "As we raise the awareness of the quality of education offered by TCC within our community, it will be the greatest benefit to any student," he said.
    "Companies are aware of the business consulting services that we offer," he said.
    "The survey will help companies consider students at TCC for employment," he said.
    With the partnership between the community and college, tuition help can be available for students.
    Businesses use tuition reimbursements as a strong recruiting tool in education.
    Fifty-two percent of the participants provide educational assistance for students.
    Several businesses offer high school graduates full tuition for two-year degrees while others will offer two-year graduates tuition in four-year degree programs.
    TCC will work to create a structure that will ensure education to assist in today's business needs, Proffitt said.
    With the results of the study, TCC will help satisfy business expectations by delivering customized, trained students, Proffitt said.