Governor's Budget Plan To Create Jobs By Helping Community Colleges

Governor Bob McDonnell plans to create more jobs in science and technology by giving some funding to community colleges.

As president of a community college, John Downey sees the need for funding programs to help students find jobs.

"A recent study estimated that 80 percent of manufacturers across the country have trouble filling positions and mainly because the workforce that applies for those positions doesn't have the skills that they need to succeed," said Downey, president of Blue Ridge Community College.

To give students the skills to succeed, Downey says community colleges need help.

For starters, he says Blue Ridge Community College could use a life sciences building.

"We have many students who need science courses than we're able to provide in a given semester, so having more facilities that are lab oriented and bioscience oriented would help us meet that need," said Downey.

And that's not the only need. With more funding from the governor, Downey says he'd like to see more 'career coaches' for students.

"I think that we have a very difficult time exposing young people to a wide variety of career options. I think that they come into higher ed with very narrow views of what jobs are available," said Downey.

More jobs will be available for students, he says, with the funding to teach them those competitive skills.

"The more we can focus on job creation to make this a viable place to live and work and raise families, I think the better off we all are," said Downey.

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Source: http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/Governors_Budget_Plan_To_Create_Jobs_By_Helping_Community_Colleges_136784868.html

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