Apprenticeship programs at community colleges are poised for a big investment under President Joe Biden‘s infrastructure plan. The plan includes $12 billion dollars for community colleges.
At a recent congressional hearing, members from both parties expressed support for targeting some of those funds at apprenticeship programs within community colleges.
Shalee Hodgson, associate dean for technology, applied science and public services at Clackamas Community College, said it’s important this type of on-the-job-training pays people for their work.
“Supporting the workforce in that way and helping people gain that education while also helping them provide for their families is really critical and helps people stay in the job, in the labor market, really attached and engaged in the work and will be critical to help us with infrastructure projects,” Hodgson explained.
Hodgson reported 13 of Oregon‘s 17 community colleges support registered apprenticeship programs.
While the state has an extensive network of programs, Hodgson contended it would be good if they could cover more types of work. She pointed out most are based in construction trades.
“We have the opportunity to really look at expanding into areas like manufacturing, information technology,” Hodgson suggested. “There’s a group in central Oregon looking at an apprenticeship for early childhood education workers.”
Hodgson noted there are also many advantages to having apprenticeship programs associated with community colleges.
“If you are an apprentice that is receiving training at a community college, you are eligible for all of the student services and supports that a traditional student would be eligible for; financial aid, advising, counseling,” Hodgson outlined. “All those different pieces.”
There are about 10,000 apprentices in Oregon.
Los programas de aprendizaje en colegios comunitarios estan listos para una gran inversion bajo el plan de infraestructura del presidente Joe Biden. El plan incluye 12 billones de dolares para colegios comunitarios.
En una audiencia reciente en el Congreso, miembros de ambos partidos expresaron su apoyo para que algunos de esos fondos sean destinados a programas de aprendizaje dentro de los colegios comunitarios.
Shalee Hodgson, de Clackamas Community College, dice que es importante que este tipo de capacitacion en el trabajo sea pagado.
“Apoyar la fuerza laboral de esa manera, ayudar a las personas a obtener educacion y al mismo tiempo ayudarlos a mantener a sus familias, es realmente fundamental y ayuda a las personas a permanecer en el mercado laboral realmente apegadas y comprometidas con su trabajo, esto va a ser fundamental para ayudarnos con proyectos de infraestructura”, dijo Hodgson.
Hodgson dice que 13 de los 17 colegios comunitarios de Oregon apoyan programas de aprendizaje registrados.
Si bien el estado tiene una extensa red de programas, Hodgson dice que seria bueno si pudieran cubrir mas tipos de trabajo. Ella dice que la mayoria se basan en el comercio de la construccion.
“Realmente tenemos la oportunidad de considerar expandirnos a areas como la fabricacion y la tecnologia de la informacion”, comento Hodgson. “Hay un grupo en el centro de Oregon que busca un aprendizaje para trabajadores de educacion infantil”.
Hodgson senala que tambien hay muchas ventajas en tener programas de aprendizaje asociados con colegios comunitarios.
“Si eres un aprendiz que esta recibiendo capacitacion en un colegio comunitario, eres elegible para todos los servicios y apoyos estudiantiles para los que un estudiante tradicional es elegible: ayuda financiera, asesoria y consejeria. Todas esas diferentes piezas”, dijo Hodgson.
Existen alrededor de 10 mil aprendices en Oregon.
