| Education, job training and appropriate job placement are the keys to lifting women and children out of poverty. Dr. Ryan, President of Bergen Community College (and husband of WUIP member Gail Ryan) wrote the following article about the role of community colleges in helping people in these tough times.
As published in The Record on Wed., February 25, 2009:
Community Colleges, the Highway Out of the Recession
Nationally, nearly 600,000 jobs disappeared last month, that’s 20,000 pink slips a day, the largest loss in 13 consecutive months of decline. The total number of jobs lost since the recession began in December of 2007 is now 3.6 million nationally. The Economic Policy Institute released a research note last Friday; the economy should have added about 1.7 million jobs over the past 13 months just to keep pace with the growth in population. The economy is now far below the goal of five million jobs just to achieve stability in the labor market.
This is the grim situation: Jobs are being cut and unemployment is rising in virtually all sectors of the economy and among every demographic group. Meanwhile families’ savings and pension plans have collapsed; more than 13.6 million Americans now owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. Retirement savings have drastically diminished by more than $2 trillion in less than a year.
Here in Bergen County, the unemployment rate is only 5.4 percent, below the 7.6 national rate and below the New Jersey rate of 7.0 percent. The reality of the situation is that unemployment in Bergen County will lag the national rate and is likely to deepen in the near future. Now more than ever, millions of Americans need a viable way to retrain into high growth industries such as healthcare, green industries, retail, hospitality, criminal justice, small business development, biotechnology, and more.
Community colleges constitute the ultimate solution as the Super Highway out of the recession. Last September more than 163,000 students enrolled in this excellent state-wide system already built. In reality, that’s more than forty percent of all students enrolled in New Jersey colleges and universities. Community Colleges have a long legacy of historical commitment to access, affordability, and community connections. Community Colleges offer comprehensive certificate and degree programs geared to 21st century jobs. Short term customized training opportunities to gain or enhance job skills is a hallmark of the Continuing Education programs which offer shorter term programs across a broad array of career opportunities. Additionally, for individuals seeking a licensure credential to change career tracks, this benefit is available for selected fields such as Registered Nurse, Dental Hygienist, Building Inspector and more. These affordable fast-track programs get people working immediately in high opportunity careers.
Community Colleges collaborate with state and local unemployment agencies and Workforce Investment Boards to offer free courses for those currently unemployed. In recognition of the credit crisis, Community Colleges offer flexible tuition payment schedules and millions of dollars in local, state, and federal financial aid assistance. Working in cooperation with an array of local and regional partners, Bergen Community College was recently awarded nearly $2.3 million for a Community –Based Job Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
In January, Community Colleges had record enrollments. What is the driving force behind this growth? The reasons are simple. We are America’s college. We are democracy’s college but most importantly, we are the community’s college. We are the architects of human capital and we build society’s trust and we do this at a tuition price point that offers access to all.
Dr. G. Jeremiah Ryan, President
Bergen Community College
400 Paramus Road
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Office: (201) 447-7235 Fax: (201) 447-9042
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