At the 2022 MACo Summer Conference, an expert panel discussed strategies for local governments to retain a quality workforce amid evolving workplace dynamics.
At the 2022 MACo Summer Conference general session, “Too Cool for Traditional School: The Changing Role of Community Colleges and Career and Technical Education,” an esteemed panel of education leaders and policy experts explored the evolving role of community colleges and career and technical education (CTE) and how local governments can best utilize them prepare Maryland’s learners for the modern workforce.
Panel speakers included:
- Brad Phillips, Executive Director, Maryland Association of Community Colleges
- Rachel Hise, Executive Director, Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board
- Mara Doss, Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board member, former Prince George’s Community College administrator
Moderator: The Honorable Senator Cory McCray
The panel kicked off with Senator Cory McCray, Rachel Hise, and Dr. Mara Doss describing how the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and its implementation oversight board, the Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) emphasize the role of community colleges and supports students that want to experience a skills-based education like CTE.
During the panel, Dr. Brad Phillips contextualized the role of Maryland in the national economy and how we have to prepare our students for the national field, not just for the local one. He noted that we have to stop just thinking about “lifting those with traditional career paths” and lift all — such as those pursuing technical and skill-based paths.
He also emphasized that when we’re talking about community colleges and CTE, what we’re really talking about is infrastructure and that this form of public education serves as the foundation for all – for education, for the economy, and for community prosperity.
The session was held on August 20, 2022, at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD.
More about MACo’s Summer Conference:
