Education in Washington
In Washington, each community college uses local labor market data produced by the Labor Market and Analysis division within the Employment Security Department of Washington State (ESD) to demonstrate how its pathways respond to the local labor market and fall within high-demand sectors. Additionally, colleges can provide their own evidence from traditional labor market data, industry data, trade association data or other data when creating a new program.
The state emphasizes the need to align programs with local demand by requiring colleges to provide evidence that the programs are in fields with local demand when applying for funds from programs run by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, like Opportunity Grants 27 or Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (l-BEST). ї
28 Useful Engagement of Employers in Program Planning CTE programs are intended to impart a set of knowledge, skills, and competencies that will make graduates employable in their chosen field. It is important that CTE educators receive substantive input from employers about the need for programs to keep up with regional needs and industry standards. In California, state law requires that every CTE program have an industry advisory committee but there is no consistency to colleges' interpretation of "program" as defined in law 29 and there is widespread consensus that many committees are not active or effective. Community colleges in Kentucky are required to display contributions of funding from local employers when submitting applications to develop new career pathways.
30 In Washington, all technical programs offered at the community colleges are required to have an advisory committee designed to provide input on curriculum and ensure compliance with industry standards. Each advisory committee must hold at least two meetings per year and publish minutes from each meeting. Committees are expected to replace any member missing more than 50% of meetings. 31 Arkansas requires active advisory councils for all programs in career pathways.
To be "active" the council must meet at least twice a year; programs failing to do so are placed on probation and may be eliminated. 32 Utah's Program Advisory Committees (PACs) are charged with keeping CTE programs current with business and industry standards. Industry leaders serve on PACs and they monitor CTE programs' services and resources and make recommendations to improve programs as necessary. PACs also provide community college boards with program information and program needs regarding enrollment, faculty preparation, scholarships, internships, job placement, donations, and more. Nearly 50 PACs exist within the Salt Lake Community College System and their activities are centrally supported and coordinated through the Salt Lake Community College Advisory Council (CAC). 33
