Welcome to the Community College Now! needs section. Community College Now! is a public education program of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation to raise awareness of the need for high-quality, affordable community college education in the Treasure Valley.
Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, in his State of the State speech, January 8, 2007, recognized that Idahoans need more opportunities for high quality, affordable higher education. In his speech, the Governor pledged his support, saying, “As a carrot, I am recommending $5 million in ongoing state support for establishing a new community college district.” He also recommended maintaining local control over the state’s community colleges and lowering the voter approval requirement for establishing community college districts from two-thirds to 60 percent – IF the vote is held in conjunction with general elections.
This section of the Community College Now! website is intended to illustrate how community colleges meet the needs of local residents who require accessible, affordable, high-quality educational programs and training. In addition, community colleges identify and address community, area, and business needs, while promoting opportunities for life-long learning.
What Opportunities Do Community Colleges Bring? For many people community colleges provide a first – and second – chance. With college costs increasing faster than the rate of inflation, community colleges are an affordable option for many individuals and families, or a valuable starting point before transferring to a four-year institution. For others, community colleges offer a chance to change careers, start a business, and get the re-training needed to get back into the workforce.
For employers, community colleges are a responsive, affordable partner in remaining competitive through tailored employee training and re-training. And, for communities, community college represents an oft-overlooked economic engine, and source of life-long learning for residents.
The Importance of Community College Access Read about why broad community college access in the Treasure Valley is so important.
Low College Participation Rates
The Idaho State Board of Education estimates that of every 100 ninth graders in the nation who finish high school, 39 go to college and only 16 finish an associate’s degree within three years of entering college or a bachelor’s degree within six years of entering college. (See article: Few Students make it through the pipeline.) Idaho has a high high school graduation rate (80 percent), but very low college-going rate (34 percent). Idaho has the second lowest second-year return rate; only 14 percent of students graduate within six years. Community colleges are an ideal postsecondary option for many students.
Limited Access
The Boise metropolitan area of nearly 700,000 people is the largest U.S. city of its size without a locally based community college. Potential students are being turned away from local colleges due to lack of preparedness. As a result, more students are turning to private, out-of-state or online community college options, which can be more expensive or have limited course offerings and transfer options. Community colleges offer open enrollment to affordable, quality education.
- Boise State University denied access to more than 800 students this past fall and for the past 4 semesters.
- Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC), an Oregon-based community college with a satellite campus in Caldwell, enrolled 800+ students in the 2005-06 academic year and could have served more if they had the space. TVCC reports that the majority of students are looking for basic classes in math, English, science, health care, computers, and English as a second language.
Companies Say, "No Thank You"
Often, company decision-makers inquire about the presence of a community college and request to speak with the community college president when making short lists and final relocation decisions. Local Chambers of Commerce report lack of a community college as a key factor in companies deciding to relocate elsewhere. Community colleges are nimble and flexible and able to create training programs for companies very quickly.
Employers: Shortage of Skilled Workers
It’s no secret that Idaho is experiencing growth—exponentially in Southwest Idaho. In fact, the Treasure Valley area ranks in the nation’s top ten metro areas for growth. And, with growth comes growing pains. While national hiring trends continue to slow, Treasure Valley employers are experiencing heightened acceleration; yet the majority of Treasure Valley employers in all fields report the lack of a skilled, trained workforce from which to hire. This presents an immediate challenge and need to provide more education and training opportunities. In other states, this need is filled by community colleges. And, although report after report confirms the need for a community college in the Treasure Valley area (see Resources and Information), the Treasure Valley remains the largest urban center without a comprehensive community college (Census 2002).
The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation recently (September 2006) conducted a Needs Assessment to pinpoint areas of need in ensuring high quality, affordable, community college access. The findings included a literature review of existing reports, discussions with education and business leaders, and interviews with economic development professionals.
A summary of findings are as follows:
- Health Care – Nursing and health care related occupations are (and will continue to be) in high demand. In 2004, 9,969 nurses were needed statewide. It is estimated that by 2014, Idaho will need approximately 14,000 nurses. By 2020, Idaho is expected to have only 40 percent of the nurses needed to care for the health needs of the state's population, yet each year only about half of qualified nursing school applicants are admitted into RN programs in Idaho. Nationally, about 65 percent of all registered nurses are educated at community colleges.
- Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation, Distribution – This is the fastest growing sector in Idaho. According to the Idaho Department of Commerce, the construction sector saw eighteen percent growth and nearly 8,000 new jobs in 2006 – the majority in specialty trades.
Dept. of Commerce and Labor, Employment Trends
- Computers, Technology – Computer and technology occupations will continue to be in high demand. Many health care occupations are technology oriented.
- Business, Administrative, Support Services – Professional and executive level positions are difficult to recruit in Idaho. Administrative and administrative support occupations in specialized fields (i.e., medicine) will be in great demand between now and 2014. Many specialized health care clinics have located in Southwest Idaho and will continue to need trained staff.
- Education and Training – Teachers at every level (elementary, middle, secondary and postsecondary) will be in high demand. In addition to a bachelor’s degree, teachers are required to supplement their degrees with professional development, continued education, and No Child Left Behind act requirements on an ongoing basis. Teacher’s aides are also required to obtain and maintain specialized certification and professional. Community colleges provide these types of continuing education opportunities for educators.
- Basic and Soft Skills – Employers have identified general skills, often called soft skills, that would increase the productivity and competitiveness. Also identified was the need for Dual Enrollment in high school, Advanced Placement (AP) and affordable community college access (online or on-site) which is critically needed by students in grades 9-12.
Access and Affordability Linked
Higher education officials know that access and affordability are inextricably linked. The Treasure Valley lacks options for access to affordable, high-quality community college education. In the Treasure Valley, there are no classes offered at the $100 per average Idaho public community college tuition rate. Treasure Valley Community College (based in Ontario, OR) has lower tuition rates ($86 per credit plus $10 in fees), but does not currently offer health-related courses in Idaho. Additionally, state need-based financial aid is relatively non-existent.
Reports of Interest: Read where the Treasure Valley has the greatest workforce development needs.
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