Imagining the Workforce of the Future: Insights from NACCE’s Workforce Solutions Advisory Council
In a season marked by volatility and transformation, April 2025 will be remembered as a pivotal moment for workforce development. Across the country, community colleges are stepping into their power as engines of opportunity, guided by leaders who are not only responding to change—but shaping the future. The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) Board of Directors established the Workforce Solutions Advisory Council to surface garner real-time insights from practitioners and experts. The recent convening of this council brought together an esteemed group of leaders who explored the shifting landscape of talent, training, and innovation. Following are a few highlights.
Bridging the Skills Gap through Place-Based Strategies
A central focus of the conversation was the enduring skills gap and how geographic nuances shape workforce needs. In North Carolina, the Propel NC bill, if passed, is poised to invest $96 million in workforce training for the state's 58 community colleges, empowering institutions like Vance-Granville Community College to expand offerings in CDL, welding, IT, and biosciences.
In Texas, the conversation around “credentials of value'”—those linked to strong wage outcomes—has influenced new investments, such as the San Jacinto College Center for Biotechnology. Located in Generation Park on McCord Development’s 4,200 contiguous acres, the Center for Biotechnology is home to the latest biomanufacturing technical training program, which is preparing students in advanced therapy manufacturing through a unique global partnership. In Tennessee, the energy sector is gaining ground, with Roane State Community College partnering with Oakridge National Labs to advance nuclear training and collaborating with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Knoxville to build a simulated hospital.
In Northern Virginia, economic instability triggered by federal layoffs spurred Northern Virginia Community College to launch NOVAnext, dedicating $1 million to retrain displaced workers—demonstrating how responsive, agile programming can soften economic shocks.
AI and the Technological Disruption Ahead
The rise of artificial intelligence also commanded attention. NOVA’s launch of an AI specialist certificate was informed by employer surveys revealing that one-third of businesses are actively seeking AI-literate employees. Whether AI adoption follows a meteoric or measured path, community colleges must integrate these technologies to remain relevant.
However, concerns loom large around how decreased R&D funding may slow innovation, even as colleges and students must adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape. Economic experts, like those from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, are closely monitoring workforce transitions through labor data and student success metrics.
Driving Economic Mobility
The council closed with a focus on economic mobility. San Jacinto’s partnerships in oil and gas, and Roane State’s launch of a PMP (spell out acronym) certification funded by an industry partner, show how employer engagement can seed long-term success. Yet, participants also acknowledged the hard truth: community colleges must re-evaluate programs that no longer lead to high-demand or well-paying jobs.
As NACCE continues to convene workforce visionaries, one message rings clear—resilience, innovation, and equity must anchor the next era of workforce development.
Participants in the Council discussion included: Dr. Destry Dokes, provost, San Jacinto College (TX); Teresa Duncan, vp, Workforce Development (TN); Dr. Jerry Edmonds, vp,Workforce & Community Engagement, Vance-Granville Community College; Steven Partridge, vp, Strategy, Research, and Workforce Innovation, Northern Virginia Community College; Dr. Laura Ullrich, senior regional economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond; Dr. Trenton Hightower, executive drector, Membership & Workforce, NACCE; Dr. Kevin Logan, director, SkillPointe; and Amy Bouvier, VP, Finance & Board Relations, NACCE.