Community college graduates continue to fill 劳动力需求 in their communities, and Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) is a notable example of that work. In May, MCCC graduated 1,345 students with the vast majority receiving degrees in high-priority occupation areas including the health sciences, early childhood education, and information technology/computer science.

“We are extremely proud of all our graduates who have joined the network of more than 90,000 Montco alumni,” said Dr. Vicki Bastecki-Perez, MCCC President. “我们的许多人 alumni continue to live, work, learn and invest in Montgomery County and Pennsylvania, contributing to equitable economic prosperity while transforming lives and future 一代又一代.”

MCCC’s Class of 2024 collectively earned 1,476 degrees and 凭证. 毕业生 include 460 who are first-generation, 476 BIPOC, 126 护理, 70 municipal police and 30 veteran/active military personnel. The age range spanned from 17 to 68 years. The programs with the largest number of graduates are Liberal Studies, Business Administration 和护理.

Based on current census and population data, it is estimated Pennsylvania’s projected skilled worker shortage could reach 820,000 in the coming years. To meet the state’s 劳动力需求 and support continued economic growth, more workers will be required with appropriate 凭证 and training tailored to regional employer needs – an area in which community colleges excel. 全州, the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC) celebrated 7,530 students who graduated from one of the state’s 15 community colleges. Nearly 18% of those graduates 参加MCCC.

“MCCC remains on the forefront of educating students to fulfill employers’ 劳动力 needs and ensure our graduates will earn livable income,” said Dr. Bastecki-Perez. “We work in partnership with employers, Montgomery County’s Commerce Department and MontcoWorks – which administers 劳动力 programming for both employers and career seekers in the County – and government representatives at all levels. This collaboration ensures that our programs are intentionally designed to meet both current and future 劳动力需求.”

MCCC plays a key role as one of the leading drivers of economic growth for Montgomery County and the region. For every $1 invested, students gain $4.70 in lifetime earnings, taxpayers gain $2.30 in added tax revenue and public sector savings, and society gains $9.30 in added income and social savings, according an economic impact study by Lightcast for MCCC for fiscal year 2021-22. Furthermore, MCCC benefits the region 加上817美元.1 million in total income and supporting 9,139 total jobs (2021-22).

Looking at the healthcare worker shortage, the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania conducted a survey of 70 of its hospitals in November of 2023 and found that one-third of registered nurse positions were vacant. The need is in sharp contrast to levels before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and is particularly true in southeast Pennsylvania. 全州, community colleges added more than 1,000 nurses to the 劳动力. Over 10 percent, or 126, of the community college graduates receiving 护理 degrees in May were graduates of MCCC.

MCCC’s 护理 graduates’ first-time pass rate of the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX) was 97% in March 2024. This rate exceeds the state average of 91.7% and the national rate of 87.2023年62%.

In addition to 护理, several health sciences programs led the list of degrees granted this May at community colleges in the state with graduates earning 凭证 to serve as medical assistants, radiographers, dental hygienists, medical coders and billers, sonographers, among many others. At MCCC that included degrees or certificates in dental hygiene, exercise science and wellness, healthcare administration, massage therapy, medical assisting, medical laboratory technician, medical office assistant, 护理, phlebotomy, physical therapist assistant, public health, radiography and surgical technology.

Pennsylvania is also facing a major shortage of educators across the Commonwealth. A decade ago, roughly 20,000 teacher certifications were issued each year, while in 2021 only about 6,000 were issued. This includes Pre-K and early childcare programs. A March 2022 Start Strong PA survey found that there are nearly 32,500 children on waiting lists with 91% of respondents citing staffing shortages as the challenge to serve more children.

Community colleges continue to have a positive impact on the 教育 劳动力. MCCC graduates included 33 students who earned 凭证 in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited Early Childhood Education Program. MCCC also had a total of 22 graduates in the Education in the Middle Years and Secondary Education programs.

Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges have over 245,000 students enrolled on their 80 campuses, providing real savings to students and families as they pursue additional 凭证. On average, students save $30,000 on their education by starting at, or selecting a community college for their degree or certificate. Those same 15 colleges partner with 2,170 employers for 劳动力 training ensuring that students have the most up-to-date knowledge, and providing pathways to careers for them as well.

This academic year, MCCC started a new 18-month “earn-while-you-learn” apprenticeship 程序中, MontcoWorks Apprenticeship Program in Information Technology. This comprehensive IT generalist apprentice program provides students with practical hands-on experience in a regional company while receiving advanced training at MCCC.

Community college graduates also have many opportunities for transfer 奖学金s. One of MCCC’s mechanical engineering graduates, 我的供应, is the recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Ly is one of 60 students out of nearly 1,700 applicants selected for this national 奖学金. The award will provide as much as $55,000 a year for up to three years for her to complete her bachelor’s degree.

Ly is a first-generation college graduate who participated in the Honors Program at MCCC. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, served as a senator and vice-president of the Student Government Association, was president of the Rotaract 俱乐部 and Honors 俱乐部. She also volunteered with the Sustainability Lab, and participated in the INNOVA hydrogen-cell car, among other activities while on campus. She will be attending Bucknell University in the fall.

Community colleges are the state’s largest provider of public postsecondary education and 劳动力 training and offer the lowest public postsecondary tuition in Pennsylvania. Additionally, 75 percent (75%) of the community colleges’ programs align with High Priority Occupations in fields such as healthcare, manufacturing and public safety. They award over 4,000 healthcare 凭证 annually on average, including 75 percent of all associate degrees in 护理 in the state. It is estimated that about 55 percent of undergraduate students who are enrolled in a Pennsylvania college are enrolled at one of the 15 community colleges in the state.