Workforce Training
The workforce program works in partnership with local businesses, industries, agencies, and other
organizations to coordinate and offer educational and training programs and
services. These programs and services are designed to enhance an employee’s
performance and thus achieve organizational objectives. The workforce program is
committed to developing a trained workforce for all employers located in the
college service area, thus enhancing the economic growth of the region.
The workforce program is also responsive to the educational and training needs
of new, existing, downsizing, and expanding companies and their employees
through a comprehensive offering of flexible and innovative training programs
and services.
With the rapid changes in technology, many members of the current workforce will
have to be re-trained. This translates into a need for skill development and
retraining since job-skill requirements are rapidly changing, the college’s
workforce objective continues to be bridging the gap between existing workplace
skills and employer-required skills.
Employers invest billions annually in employee training. As a community college,
St. Philip’s College can provide training more cost effectively than many other
public and private sector organizations because we have the capacity to provide
technical training already or can develop it at a lower cost.
Enrichment activities are offered that are mostly job fairs, campus tours,
community service activities, presentations, etc. Other community-development
programs include dual-enrollment tracks. Here high school students earn
community college credit during their high school enrollment by taking credit
courses at the college while enrolled as high school students.
Workforce training typically includes: computer skills, supervisory skills, and
continuous improvement training. This also incorporates entrepreneurial
training, i.e. courses covering small business development geared for business
owners and entrepreneurs.
Benefits to clients include customized services and delivery; professional
trainers; just-in-time training; solutions to training issues; and ultimately
increased organizational output. The office is designed to be self-supporting
and costs of services are negotiated on an individual contract basis with
clients. Services and programs are available to public and private sector
businesses, industry and governmental organizations of all sizes. Non-profit
agencies also receive services.