BUSINESSES BELIEVE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FINANCE REFORM IS THE SOLUTION TO TEXAS’ WORKFORCE PROBLEM

Texas Workforce Needs Do Not Match the Supply

Texas boasts the second largest economy in the nation and has enjoyed the longest sustained economic expansion in American history. This influx of new businesses has increased our need for skilled workers. However, about 62% of jobs in Texas require at least some postsecondary education, but only 47.9% of adults in Texas have a postsecondary credential. Currently, only 22% of Texas students earn a postsecondary degree within 6 years of graduation.

skilled workers. However, about 62% of jobs in Texas require at least some postsecondary education, but only 47.9% of adults in Texas have a postsecondary credential. Currently, only 22% of Texas students earn a postsecondary degree within 6 years of graduation.

Community Colleges Are Uniquely Positioned to Address These Challenges

Community Colleges Are Uniquely Positioned to Address These Challenges

By providing quick and affordable pathways to multiple self-sustaining wage credentials, community colleges are uniquely positioned to meet the demand for re-skilling and up-skilling Texans for the 21st century workforce. However, over the past 40 years, state funding of community colleges has declined from 68% to 26%.

By providing quick and affordable pathways to multiple self-sustaining wage credentials, community colleges are uniquely positioned to meet the demand for re-skilling and up-skilling Texans for the 21st century workforce. However, over the past 40 years, state funding of community colleges has declined from 68% to 26%.

The Current System Does Not Produce the Educational Outcomes Businesses Need

The Current System Does Not Produce the Educational Outcomes Businesses Need

In addition to not being adequately funded, the current community college finance model does not sufficiently incentivize outcomes aligned with regional and state workforce needs. Furthermore, it does not support crucial non-credit workforce credentials needed to bridge the postsecondary attainment gap.

In addition to not being adequately funded, the current community college finance model does not sufficiently incentivize outcomes aligned with regional and state workforce needs. Furthermore, it does not support crucial non-credit workforce credentials needed to bridge the postsecondary attainment gap.

Incentivizing Community Colleges to Create Programs Aligned with Workforce Needs Is Critical

Incentivizing Community Colleges to Create Programs Aligned with Workforce Needs Is Critical

The Texas Commission on Community College Finance's recommendations shift state funding to be majority outcomes-based and incentivize work-based learning and employer partnerships. Additionally, they help stand up new programs in high-demand fields so that colleges can better adapt to changing business needs

The Texas Commission on Community College Finance's recommendations shift state funding to be majority outcomes-based and incentivize work-based learning and employer partnerships. Additionally, they help stand up new programs in high-demand fields so that colleges can better adapt to changing business needs

Business Leaders Are Calling for Action

Business Leaders Are Calling for Action

Business leaders across the state believe the Commission's recommendations will help build the workforce that we desperately need. Similarly, 93 percent of Texans agree that community colleges should be properly funded so they can continue to offer the training needed for people to get a good job or a better job. To ensure that Texas maintains a globally competitive workforce, the 88th Legislature must strategically and meaningfully fund our community colleges.

Business leaders across the state believe the Commission's recommendations will help build the workforce that we desperately need. Similarly, 93 percent of Texans agree that community colleges should be properly funded so they can continue to offer the training needed for people to get a good job or a better job. To ensure that Texas maintains a globally competitive workforce, the 88th Legislature must strategically and meaningfully fund our community colleges.

ason Businesses Struggle to Hire:

The Reason Businesses Struggle to Hire:

obs in Texas are considered middle-skill, but % of Texans are sufficiently trained for these eaving a "middle skills gap" comprising ~1.4 MILLION TEXANS 6

54% of jobs in Texas are considered middle-skill, but only 45% of Texans are sufficiently trained for these jobs—leaving a "middle skills gap" comprising ~1.4 MILLION TEXANS w n y t i m e s c o m / 2 0 1 9 / 0 7 / 0 7 / b u s i n e s s / t e x a s - e c o n o m y - j o b s - c i t i e s h t m A P S m i t h N , a n d S t r o h l J ( J u n e 2 0 1 3 ) R e c o v e r y : P r o e c t o n s o f J o b s a n d E d u c a t i o n R e q u i r e m e n t s T h r o u g h r g e t o w n P u b l i c P o l i c y I n s t i t u t e u n d a t i o n , A S t r o n g e r N a t o n 2 0 2 1 T e x a s R e p o r t S a m p l e : U S r e s i d e n t s , a g e s 2 5 - 6 4 C r e d e n t i a l s i n c l u d e d r p r o f e s s o n a d e g r e e s b a c h e l o r s d e g r e e s a s s o c i a t e d e g r e e s c e r t i f i c a t e s i n d u s t r y - r e c o g n i z e d c e r t i f i c a t i o n s G r a d e C o h o r t i n f o r m a t o n f o r C l a s s o f 2 0 1 2 O u t c o m e s p y A d v o c a t e s s u r v e y c o n d u c t e d b y B a s e l i c e & A s s o c i a t e s I n c d u a t e o r p r o f e s s i o n a l d e g r e e s b a c h e l o r s d e g r e e s , a s s o c i a t e d e g r e e s c e r t i f i c a t e s , i n d u s t r y - r e c o g n i z e d c e r t i f i c a t i o n s T H E C B 8 t h G r a d e C o h o r t i n f o r m a t i o n f o r C l a s s o f 2 0 1 2 O u t c o m e s P h i l a n t h r o p y A d v o c a t e s s u r v e y c o n d u c t e d b y B a s e l c e & A s s o c a t e s I n c S e p t 2 7 – O c t 3 2 0 2 2 a m o n g N = 8 0 0 l k e l y v o t e r s T

The Texas Commission on Community College Finance's recommendations propose bold and transformative changes to community college finance that will address our workforce and postsecondary completion challenges.

Affordability For Students Investments In College Capacity 1 3 2

State Funding For Outcomes

Shifts to a majority outcomesbased funding framework that supports student success by incentivizing credentials of value and successful transfer to 4-year schools

Aligns with regional and state workforce demands to meet e

Increases financial aid with a goal to support at least 70% of qualified low-income college students pursuing credentials of value

Provides financial aid for dual credit for economicallydisadvantaged high school

Provides one-time seed grants to help community colleges stand up programs in highdemand fields

Enhances collaboration and cost-sharing among community colleges to improve efficiency and increase student access redit re kable ms to s.

How the Commission’s Recommendations Support Businesses:

Incentivizes community colleges to meet workforce needs by shifting to a majority outcomes-based funding framework.

Expands paid work-based learning opportunities between colleges and employers that lead to increased job placement. Helps community colleges stand up programs in high-demand fields.

WIDESPREAD BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY SUPPORT:

Priorites For The 88th Legislative Sesson

As we prepare for bringing nearly 175 key influencers to Austin, March 5-7, it is critical, we are in alignment on messaging and priorities. Collectively, Kilgore, Lindale, Longview, Tyler, and Whitehouse Chamber boards have agreed on the following 5 Priorities for the trade area:

1. SUPPORT and protect continuing the use of transparent economic development incentive tools to enhance job creation and investment in Texas.

2. SUPPORT efforts to increase workforce supply and resiliency by supporting the recommendations made by the Texas Community College Commission Finance (TCCCF).

3. SUPPORT and ensure East Texas is prioritized in the broadband plans.

4.SUPPORT improving access to care and increasing behavioral and mental health services through expanding physician loan repayment programs specifically targeted to primary care provider, mental health providers, and underserved areas and expanding the child mental health consortium statewide.

5. SUPPORT the implementation of the Tri-Agency workforce Initiative (HB3767) to determine if alignment of education and workforce development has improved through data-sharing; advocate for strengthening agency data-sharing and public access to information on progress towards state workforce goals and student outcomes; support engagement with the business community to improve the quality of workforce data collected by state agencies.

The priorities has driven developing our agenda explained, CEO Kelly Hall. We have policy shapers and influencers lined up to present to our attendees and our elected official’s staff to better understand the why behind the issues outlined.

For example, two key items for discussion include why we need to protect economic development incentives and supporting the Texas Commission on Community College Finance Recommendations.

1. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Texas didn’t just become great! We intentionally built tools to attract and retain jobs. Now, these incentives are being jeopardized and Texas’s economic security could be at risk. We have been at the table with several state agencies since the 87th session working on enacting a modern, transparent economic development program. It is imperative that our elected officials represent Texas and protect our economic environment.

2. For the past several years we have been working in partnership with Texas 2036, Commit Partnership, and the Texas Association of Business on the importance of postsecondary education and its impacts on job attainment. That is why we are helping champion the recommendations from the Texas Commission on Community College Finance. We believe community colleges should have access to the resources necessary to improve and grow the outcomes of ALL Texas students.

For more information about the Chamber’s policy work in protecting businesses and our economic environment please feel free to reach out to Kelly Hall @ 903.237.4004 or khall@longviewtx.com