1996

Education must- -move·· to new fronts

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Editor: As the American workplace changes in response to globalization, competition, and new technologies, business and industry can't compete m the marketplace oflering low wages. At East Central Community College in Decatur, we're aiding business and industry in these changing times through a school-to-career initiative called Work-Based Learning. Last year, we placed 36 students from nine technical programs in 25 worksites. These students worked an average of 26 hours a week for a total of 30,156 hours. The economic impact equals $188,475 of work based on an average hourly wage of $6.71. Today, workplaces like Choctaw Maid Farms, Inc., and Howell's Com– puter Service require workers to learn a multitude of new skills as their jobs undergo constant change and evolu– tion. Workers must be able to work in teams, communicate effectively, and -- '-./I V] - ...._) -+-

·instructors. It was easy because we found business and industry were ~illing to become involved, and East Central's teache rs were ready to ~mbrace this approach to education and training. But, to be successful , Work-Based Learning must have stu– dent participation. The student's incentive is the opportunity to show– case their capabili ties in a real work cnvtronment which leads to competi– tive wages after graduation. So, what does all of this mean? It ~eans employers will become active •p the educational process investing tune and resources in the develop– rflent of their future workforce. ~chools will become learning centers where all students succeed and envi– sion a future for themselves. Instruc– tors work as a team to create positive and student-centered learning activities. And, business/industry ~ecomes a contributing partner in teshaping education within their local

community. Work-Based Learning cre– ates the opportunity for greatly enhanced communication between employers and educators. Unless we change the practices of the past, we can expect the same per– formance results of that era leaving a dim vision for the future. At East Cen– tral , we are ensuring that our stu– dents learn the right things, teachers address the appropriate competencies and business/industry communities access work-ready students. Through Work-Based Learning, we're prepar– ing students to be competitive in a global market and supplying East Central Mississi ppi with a skilled workforce.

Readers Write

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Letters to the Editor think critically. Work-Based L"carning prepares students for current and future careers in these highly techni– cal workplaces by combining class– room instruction with structured learning experiences at the worksttc. The focus is to bridge the gap between school and the workplace. East Central was selected last year as one of five pilot test sites for this program. The sites would operate for three years with annual evaluations. The test sites proved so successful, as evidenced by Work-Based Learning's impact on the economy, that sites are now being prepared at all 15 of the public community colleges. Implementing the program of East Central required a commitment from area business/industry and college

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Sincerely, Roger Whitlock, Work-Based Learning Coordinator ECCC, Decatur, Ms. (601)635-2111, ext. 305 I ~ uo" Z o~w 'o::"QC) ~~uo .. Z 0 ~w z- ~ ~ Q 0 < z z ~ ~~~~ ~ <(WW:S ~ u z z u

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