California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott Praises President Obama’s Call to Provide the Nation’s Community Colleges with $8 billion

Funding plan will help community colleges and businesses expand partnerships to train two million workers
 
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott today issued a statement on President Obama’s proposed 2012-13 national budget that recommends focusing $8 billion on a three-year program that will expand partnerships between community colleges and the business community in order to train and employ two million workers in technical and skilled manufacturing jobs:
“President Obama continues to see the value of community colleges as the cornerstone in creating a strong and educated workforce to fuel our nation’s economic recovery and train and place millions of workers in middle-skills jobs. An $8 billion investment represents the president’s strong confidence in the ability of our nation’s community colleges to train a workforce that can compete in both the local and global marketplace.
 
“California’s community colleges will absolutely play an important role in President Obama’s initiative. Our system educates 2.6 million students annually which means twenty-five percent of the nation’s community college students are enrolled in a California community college.  This proposal, if enacted, will help grow and strengthen statewide and local business partnerships. We are well positioned to be a key player in working with the federal government to stimulate our nation’s economic recovery by preparing a skilled workforce that meets the needs of a changing job market. I’m pleased that President Obama understands that committing funds to our community colleges is an investment and not a cost.
 
“I encourage members of Congress to support the president’s community college job training initiative as it will not only prepare students for jobs but ultimately help get millions of Americans back to work.”

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation. It is composed of 72 districts and 112 colleges serving 2.6 million students per year. Community colleges supply workforce training, basic skills courses in English and math, and prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The Chancellor’s Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.