A STUDY OF PRESENT AND FUTURE COMMUNITY COLLEGE VOCATIONAL ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN NEBRASKA

The Problem. The purpose of the study was to determine perceived vocational adult education program needs in Nebraska as seen by Nebraska community college adult education directors. These perceived needs were compared to employment opportunities within the state as determined for Nebraska by the Research Coordinating Unit (RCU) for Vocational Education at the University of Nebraska. Procedure. A review of selected literature was conducted to gain background and supportive information to the development of the study. The data used in this study were collected through a statewide survey-interview of a selected population of 15 community college administrators with vocational adult education responsibilities. All six community college areas in Nebraska were represented. A preliminary questionnaire was pilot tested and as a result adjustments were made to the instrument. Initial contact, clarification of the questionnaire, and data gathering were conducted by telephone. The instrument, accompanied by a letter, was sent to the respondents. The instrument was directed toward the education director\u27s perceptions of future (1985) vocational adult education program needs, levels of preparation of present (1979) vocational adult education students (entry-level, upgrading skills, degree/diploma/certificate, and other), and estimated percentages of adults completing programs in the above levels in the seven vocational areas for 1978-1979 and 1985. Present vocational adult education program offerings for 1978-1979, as well as short-term enrollment figures for adults, were obtained from year-end reports submitted to the Nebraska Department of Education, Division of Vocational Education. Present programs and future vocational needs were then compared to present and projected job openings in the seven vocational areas as stated by the Research Coordinating Unit (RCU) at the University of Nebraska. This was done to ascertain which vocational adult programs directly correspond to present and future job openings and which do not. Total enrollments in the occupations included in the seven vocational areas were figured for individual campuses as well as for the state as a whole. Present levels of preparation at each campus included in the study were also determined. Mean percentages were figured in the levels of preparation for each community college area for 1978-1979 and 1985. The differences between the two sets of figures were then determined. Results would indicate the present area of emphasis regarding levels of preparation and the forecasted future emphasis. Findings and Conclusions. (1) The majority (95%) of the present (1978-1979) program offerings are listed by the RCU as corresponding to job openings available in the State of Nebraska in the seven vocational areas. There were four present programs and six projected future programs found in the seven vocational areas that were being offered or anticipated for the future where there were no job openings available in the State of Nebraska, as cited by the RCU. (2) There were two programs in two of the seven vocational areas that had total statewide enrollments that exceeded the total statewide job openings for 1978-1979. (3) The most prevalent level of preparation was upgrading skills followed by entry-level and rated closely together were degree/diploma/certificate, and other. (4) Combining all of the community college areas, the trend for the future (1985) in percentages of adult completers was toward an increased emphasis on degree/diploma/certificate, and other programs