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The need to strengthen strategies and practices for work-based learning at community colleges is becoming increasingly salient as AI continues to impact the labor market. The best preparation for work is work experience. As AI continues to impact the labor market, there is an urgency to strengthen institutional strategies and practices to scale work-based learning (WBL) experiences for students.

Today, �鶹������ý’s Future of Work & Innovation Economy initiative and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) are pleased to announce the Accelerator for Community Colleges in the Innovation Economy Work-Based Learning (WBL) Capacity-Building Cohort. 

The Work-Based Learning Capacity-Building Cohort is offered through the Accelerator for Community Colleges in the Innovation Economy (Accelerator). The Accelerator is a strategic initiative launched by �鶹������ý and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The Accelerator’s mission is to build the community college sector’s capacity for economic and workforce development strategies, particularly for advanced and emerging technologies. ACCT serves on the Accelerator’s National Partners Council alongside the American Association of Community Colleges, Achieving the Dream, and other national associations.

This national cohort of six community colleges will undertake a comprehensive institutional self-study, strategic planning, and implementation process to assess and strengthen the quality, availability, and scale of WBL opportunities for students entering the jobs of today and tomorrow.

The six participating colleges are: 

• City Colleges of Chicago, IL
• East Central College, MO
• Forsyth Technical Community College, NC
• Santa Fe College, FL
• SUNY Broome Community College, NY
• West Valley College, CA

“Community colleges play a critical role in expanding workforce pathways for America’s talent to prepare for skilled and trade jobs, including supporting the growth of critical and emerging technology areas such as artificial intelligence, microelectronics, biotech, quantum, and beyond. We are delighted to see �鶹������ý and ACCT launch the Accelerator for Community Colleges in the Innovation Economy Work-based Learning Cohort to build capacity of the sector for apprenticeships, internships, and work-based learning needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow, and congratulate the participating institutions on their selection.”

— Erwin Gianchandani, Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships, U.S. National Science Foundation

These colleges were selected based on their demonstrated commitment to working with on-campus and off-campus stakeholders to understand and ameliorate constraints to expanding and improving WBL opportunities. These institutions have shown a strong dedication to advancing WBL opportunities and work closely with employer networks and regional industry partners who share this goal. In addition, each college has demonstrated the organizational capacity necessary to complete the self-study process and implement resulting improvements.

“Being selected as one of only six community colleges nationwide is an extraordinary honor for West Valley College. It reflects our unwavering commitment to preparing students for meaningful, high-demand careers through innovative work-based learning and strong partnerships with employers and our community. We believe experiential learning is one of the most powerful ways to transform students’ futures, and this opportunity will allow us to strengthen that work while learning alongside outstanding institutions from across the nation. We are proud to represent our students, our region, and the California community college system as we continue expanding pathways to economic mobility and student success,”

— Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza, President, West Valley College

�鶹������ý and ACCT will support cohort members in deploying a unique institutional self-study toolkit developed by the two organizations. The toolkit is designed to help college leaders evaluate and strengthen institutional strategies for scaling WBL opportunities. Drawing on insights from the self-study, each college will develop a strategic plan to build WBL capacity and enhance the quality and accessibility of WBL opportunities moving forward.

“Being selected for this national cohort reflects the work our faculty, staff and employer partners do every day to prepare students for successful careers. We look forward to building on the strong work-based learning opportunities already available to our students while identifying new ways to serve them better.”

— Jon Bauer, President, East Central College

Why the Accelerator WBL Capacity-Building Cohort Matters

Work-based learning broadly describes experiences connecting education to employment. Through these experiences, students can develop the skills employers need, build professional networks, and explore diverse career pathways. Examples include but are not limited to clinicals, paid internships, practicums, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and cooperative education (co-op) programs.

Participation in WBL is associated with greater career satisfaction, while paid internships are linked to one year after graduation among bachelor’s degree graduates. WBL also benefits employers by strengthening talent pipelines and helping address the skills gap among graduates. Despite these advantages, community college students are less likely to have access to WBL opportunities than their peers at four-year institutions.

Given the benefits of WBL, more community colleges are expanding access to these experiences. At a time when the value of higher education is increasingly being questioned, community colleges are incorporating WBL into their value proposition for current and prospective students and the broader community. This environment created an ideal opportunity to launch the WBL Capacity-Building Cohort. Upon completing a comprehensive institutional self-study, strategic planning, and implementation process, cohort members will receive recognition as pilot partners when �鶹������ý and the ACCT jointly publish the institutional self-study toolkit for use by community colleges nationwide.