BMCC Key to NE Oregon's Economic Future
BMCC is Key to Northeast Oregon’s Economic Future
In the current economy, as jobs go green and technology changes ways of doing business, economic studies point to the availability of an educated and skilled workforce as a key component to economic viability and restructuring. A 2006 socio-economic report states that the presence of Blue Mountain Community College and the skills attained by its students accounts for some $150 million of the region’s annual payroll. That’s our job –educating and training students for family wage jobs, professional careers, and new opportunities. The economy may have changed, but our mission hasn’t.
Since Fleetwood announced its closure, Blue Mountain Community College has been welcoming a number of its workers as they prepare to attend classes and pursue certificates or degrees. I do not make light of the trauma that people experience when plants close or a workforce is downsized, but going back to college may be the best thing that can happen for those who accept the challenge. Despite the hard times now, I see the potential for bright futures ahead. Here is why:
In a partnership between CAPECO, WorkSource Oregon, and BMCC, we are working to find programs that are a good fit for each Fleetwood employee. One option is getting more education – a certificate, a degree, or an advanced skill set that translates to being more competitive in the workforce. At BMCC, that might mean working toward a GED or taking classes in math, writing, or critical thinking; entering a career technical program such as civil engineering, business, diesel technology, nursing, or an apprenticeship; or pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
There is strong evidence that an investment in higher education yields substantial dividends for both the student and the economy. CAPECO, WorkSource Oregon, and BMCC provide trained staff to help unemployed workers make workable next-step plans. It is easy to underestimate the complexities, paperwork, and fear involved in moving from a fast-paced manufacturing industry to a college environment in a matter of days. It is also financially shocking to go from full-time employment to being a full-time student, but adult learners prove to be some of our best students because they can apply real-world experiences to their learning and are amazingly resilient when they have an opportunity to improve their situation.
I am further encouraged by Oregon’s Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs, a report just released by The Workforce Alliance, which says that despite an economy that has seen the losses of thousands of jobs, so-called “middle-skill” jobs have held strong and that the need for such jobs will continue to grow in the coming decade.
These jobs, which require more than a high school education but less than a four-year degree, currently make up 52 percent of the positions in Oregon. Nearly 900,000 Oregon workers fall into the middle-skill category. The demand for such jobs is expected to increase in the next decade, with more than 340,000 job openings. To maintain our competitive edge in an increasingly competitive global economy, we must invest in middle-skill workers to ensure that our businesses have the talent they need.
The conclusion of the study has powerful implications for Oregon as the state strives to rebuild its economy in the wake of the turbulent economic times. A more robust investment in community college education and training will yield better economic results in a faster timeframe, helping our state, our region, and students to rebound and recover.
John Turner is the president of Blue Mountain Community College.
