Sustaining partnerships between community colleges and the extended healthcare industry in Massachusetts

“Nationwide employers invest nearly $30 billion annually in employee training. Community colleges can provide training more cost effectively than many other public and private organizations, because most already have the capacity to provide technical training or can develop it at a lower cost” (Drury, 2001, p. 2). This study investigated the rewards and benefits, challenges and roadblocks, and the factors for sustaining community college partnerships with the extended healthcare industry in Massachusetts. A mixed-methods approach was used, which employed the Extended Care Career Ladder Initiative (ECCLI) in Massachusetts as the study base. Qualitative data were gathered through interviews with ECCLI administrators ( N=6), focus groups with ECCLI students/employees (N=31) and summative interviews with ECCLI facilitators (N=2). Quantitative data were collected from questionnaires completed by administrators ( N=27) and students/employees (N=49). The questionnaires were constructed using items taken primarily from previously used ECCLI assessment instruments. Study results showed that the ECCLI had increased awareness on the parts of administrators and students/employees of career pipeline possibilities, and had improved communication between students/employees and administrators, co-workers, and patients. This study also discovered some factors that define a sustained partnership between community colleges and the extended healthcare industry. Recommendations stemming from this study are: (1) Create specific workforce development departments at community colleges, responsible for partnering with local businesses and industries. (2) Make better use of Labor Market Information (LMI) for guiding partnerships between community colleges and businesses and industries. (3) Develop regional summits on workforce development that focus on partnerships between community colleges and businesses and industries. (4) Establish stronger partnerships between community colleges and the extended healthcare industry. (5) Lobby for additional funds for the ECCLI and other workforce development partnerships in Massachusetts and across the nation