No community college is an island, especially when it comes to keeping programs in sync with the job market. The most successful institutions forge strong employer partnerships – working relationships with local businesses, industries, and employers that inform and enrich the college’s curriculum. In fact, partnerships with business are often fundamental to the success of community college workforce programs. By collaborating with employers, colleges can ensure that their courses teach exactly what graduates need to thrive in the workplace, whether it’s mastering a new software platform or honing essential people skills for customer-facing roles.
Forms of collaboration: Employer partnerships can take many forms, each offering mutual benefits. One common approach is establishing program advisory boards populated by industry representatives. These boards meet regularly to review curriculum and suggest updates so that course content keeps pace with industry changes. Another powerful form of partnership is work-based learning opportunities: internships, apprenticeships, and cooperative education programs that allow students to gain on-the-job experience while earning credit. For example, a community college in Tennessee partnered with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to create a nuclear technology program, combining specialized coursework with lab internships to fill a critical workforce need. In return, employers get a direct pipeline of talent and often contribute equipment, guest lecturers, or even funding to support the program.
Colleges also collaborate with employers through customized training programs. A company might approach a college to upskill its existing workers or train a batch of new hires on specific machinery. By swiftly developing short-term, non-degree training tailored to one employer’s needs, colleges demonstrate agility and deepen their industry ties. These custom programs can later evolve into broader offerings if the skillset is in demand across the sector.
Building win-win partnerships: To make the most of employer collaborations, colleges should focus on two-way communication and shared goals. It helps to start by identifying key employers in the region – from large hospitals and manufacturers to small businesses driving local growth – and reaching out to understand their talent pain points. Colleges can invite these employers to help co-design curriculum, ensuring courses include the technologies, regulations, or methodologies that the job market currently values. In fields like IT or healthcare, where things change quickly, such input is invaluable.
Regular interaction is also crucial. Rather than a one-time conversation, colleges that excel keep an open channel with employers: hosting industry roundtables, having faculty do summer externships in industry, or inviting company leaders to serve as adjunct instructors. All these efforts signal that the college is responsive and invested in producing graduates who meet employer needs. The payoff is clear – colleges become go-to sources for recruitment, and students benefit from programs that have a direct line of sight to employment. Through robust employer partnerships, community colleges and local industries jointly create a virtuous cycle of relevant education and workforce development.
