Community colleges can provide training solutions

by Sally Winship

Small business owners shouldn't overlook the wide range of training resources available at nearby community colleges.

 

I’m often asked if Johnson County Community College is retooling its work-force training program to help area businesses during the recession. The answer is yes and no: Yes, our continuing education division is busy responding to the ever-changing needs of businesses. But no, that’s nothing new. In fact, it’s what we do best every day, in every economic climate.

For the most part, community colleges have always been solutions providers to businesses and individuals, constantly monitoring the markets, talk to business leaders and anticipate industry needs. Keeping a finger on the pulse of the community are the continuing education divisions at area community colleges, where responsiveness, innovation, and quick implementation are a competitive and affordable advantage.

Some of the newest training programs offer fresh career alternatives for business analysts, energy auditors, and bioscience/biotechnology professionals. For companies, Lean Six Sigma training is the hottest ticket toward greater process improvements and quantifiable financial returns. Organizations that benefit from the methodology behind process improvement are limitless, including health care, small business, corporate education, educational institutions, and manufacturing.

Motivating employees. Keeping employees motivated in the midst of layoffs and economic uncertainty is essential to any organization’s continued effectiveness. When companies invest in “soft skills training”—aimed at leadership, management, supervisory and team development—they prove they value the professional development of their employees, thereby creating a more engaged work force. An engaged work force leads to bottom-line improvements in processes and profitability.

Resources for small business owners. Help is available for small business owners. Small Business Development Centers provide free and confidential consulting to existing and aspiring business owners. For existing business owners, the centers can assist with business plans, financial analysis, marketing plans, and new product development. They can also develop a plan for employee retraining and professional development to upgrade and refine skills. Regional centers are partnering with other economic development agencies to share and use resources efficiently without duplicating services. The Kansas Small Business Development Center at JCCC works closely with the Kansas Department of Commerce, Hispanic Economic Development Corporation, Johnson County Library, KCSourcelink and the Enterprise Center of Johnson County to ensure the availability of a comprehensive range of services to small business owners in Johnson, Miami and Wyandotte counties.

A competitive edge for job seekers. Community college continuing-education programs offer a competitive advantage to unemployed workers who want to enhance credentials and skills that will give them an edge in the job market. Career services such as resume consulting, job club networking, skills assessments and outplacement services help displaced workers move toward a smart new start.

Computer applications and IT training boost marketable skills for individuals and lead to greater efficiencies for companies. Professional certifications and licensure in areas of real estate, trades, mediation and early childhood education can lead to entirely new careers. In many cases, grants and Workforce Investment Act funding may be available to help offset training costs for businesses and individuals.

Customized training. Onsite training offers organizations the opportunity to conveniently customize a blended program of soft and hard skills that can be applied immediately in the workplace. From front-line customer service to high-end executive coaching, a tailored training curriculum can weave together technology and people skills that are tangible and transferable.

It’s no secret that companies are increasingly asked to do more with less. But partnering with local community colleges on the many solutions they have to offer can be your organization’s secret strategy to surviving this tough and tenuous economy.

Sally Winship is Vice President of Workforce, Community and Economic Development for Johnson County Community College.
P     |     913.469.8500
E     |     swinship@jccc.edu