Skills to Compete: How Our Schools Are Strengthening Maryland’s Future Workforce

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Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, Lillian Lowery
sadusky
Maryland Association of Community Colleges Executive Director, Bernie Sadusky
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Prince George’s County CIO, Vennard Wright

The 2014 Interim Report of the Maryland Economic Development and Business Climate Commission stated that

there are 132,000 unfilled jobs in Maryland, with employers stating that they cannot find candidates possessing the necessary skills to fill those jobs.

The Maryland and US Departments of Education and local community colleges are working to close this gap. In recent years, community colleges provided education leading to 139 different licenses, certifying more than 55,600 students, and delivering customized training for immediate local labor needs. Maryland’s recently passed Apprenticeship Maryland Act establishes a 2-year apprenticeship pilot project. Three high schools in Prince George’s County have been awarded $7 million as part of the federal government’s Youth CareerConnect program.

Come hear more about strategies for building a stronger Maryland economy through these programs at the MACo Summer Conference Session, Skills to Compete: How Our Schools Are Strengthening Maryland’s Future Workforce on Saturday, August 15, 2015, from 9:30-11 am at the Ocean City Convention Center.

Speakers for the session include State Superintendent of Schools, Lillian Lowery; Maryland Association of Community Colleges, Bernie Sadusky; and Prince George’s County CIO, Vennard Wright.