Power Of Partnership

News Headlines

In today’s economy, attracting and retaining skilled workers is a challenge. A recent survey shows 69 percent of U.S. companies reporting talent shortages – the highest in more than a decade.
Businesses often lack the resources and time to independently train employees, so they are turning to community colleges for help. By forging these effective partnerships, businesses are building their employees’ skills sets, strengthening retention and improving recruitment.

Meeting business needs

Training and Development Solutions at Howard Community College has a long history of partnering with area businesses to overcome performance obstacles. One of our most recent partnerships started in 2019, when we joined AT&T to create the Catapult Apprenticeship program – the first apprenticeship in the state of Maryland to prepare participants for an IT career while earning debt-free college credits and obtaining a high-level security clearance.

AT&T had an urgent need for entry-level employees with a certain soft skill set but not necessarily IT training. It was also facing a pipeline shortage for ongoing work requiring government security clearances 
HCC developed a non-traditional apprenticeship model as a customized solution. Under the model, courses were front-loaded so most of the instruction occurred while apprentices were awaiting security clearances. Apprentices earn between 18 and 24 academic credits and are assigned to an AT&T mentor who ensures they are trained on specific, comprehensive workforce competencies. 

While awaiting clearance, apprentices work 20 hours per week earning at least $26 an hour. AT&T pays all program costs, including tuition and books, and an administrative fee to HCC for managing the program.
With this model, both AT&T and the apprentices benefit. AT&T gains access to a pool of highly motivated, screened candidates for a large number of vacancies over time. They also save money on recruitment costs, as HCC markets and recruits on their behalf. Apprentices gain access to debt-free training for essential, high-paying careers. They also become highly skilled employees who contribute to the local economy.

Providing custom, affordable solutions

At HCC, we make these partnerships easy. We have a dedicated team with private sector experience whose focus is on developing and implementing training solutions for area businesses. We get to know each business and then work with subject matter experts to draft a complimentary, customized plan detailing programs and courses that would be most effective. 

HCC also has an extensive portfolio of ready to deploy trainings, courses and apprenticeships, where company employees can earn industry-recognized credentials and certifications, including IT, nursing, healthcare, leadership, management and supervision, human resources, project management, early childhood education, and a wide array of occupational trainings. The college is also a vetted provider for Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) training.

And unlike many private training organizations, colleges like HCC are nimble. We quickly respond to changing industry needs by creating affordable training programs that match each partner’s timeline. No need to wait until the next season for a private training program to start. We make it happen on demand.

While the solutions vary, community college and business partnerships address the need for skilled workers through high-quality, high-value training and a plan for success.