(KLZA)-- A campaign is underway to establish long term works training programs, offered by Southeast Community College in the Falls City and Auburn area of Southeast Nebraska. 

Southeast Community College is currently in the process of developing its 2015-2019 Strategic Plan. As part of the process, the College is seeking community input from the 15-county service area.

The Tri-State Labor Basin Study Committee has urged SCC to develop an Outreach Program to improve its delivery of workforce training to residents of the corner of southeast Nebraska. Charlie Radatz is the Chairman of the Falls City EDGE Tri-State Labor Committee. Radatz says the goal is to have the college extend programming to the area allowing us to have a skilled workforce available for the area manufacturers 

While SCC provides a good deal of the type of training needed, it is not easily accessible for many people living in the area.  The SCC campuses are located in Lincoln, Beatrice and Milford making it a difficult commute, and especially difficult for someone who is currently working, wanting to continue their education. 

The Tri-State Labor Committee is going back to a proven plan to enhance their efforts, getting the public involved. The committee is asking for the public to submit letters to the EDGE Office, explaining the problems and some solutions. Sample letters are available for those wanting them. Sample letters will be available at the Industry Recognition Week Open House at Airlanco in Falls City on May 8.  

With a number of manufacturers in the southeast-most counties of the SCC program area looking to expand, one solution would be to bring more programming to the people who need it.  EDGE Executive Director Beckie Cromer says it boils down to SCC investing in extreme Southeast Nebraska. She says ultimately they want SCC to invest tax dollars collected from the area, back into the area to promote growth and success of Falls City and surrounding communities. 

SCC receives $2.8 million in property taxes from Richardson, Nemaha, Pawnee and Johnson counties in Southeast Nebraska. The group is asking SCC to shift its course from centralization of all its resources in the north and western parts of the District to add community-based Outreach Programs at one or more centers within easy commuting distance of students from rural communities.  

SAMPLE LETTER EXAMPLES BELOW 

Dr. Paul Illich, President

Members of the Southeast Community College Board of Governors

SCC – Area Office

301 S. 68th Street Place, 5th Floor

Lincoln, NE 68510-2449

Dear Dr. Illich & Members of the SCC Board of Governors:

As a resident and taxpayer in Nemaha County I wish to express my support for creation by Southeast Community College of an Outreach Program to improve its delivery of workforce training to residents of the far southeast corner of the district as the College develops its 2015-2019 Strategic Plan. Community-based education is needed to enable members of our workforce to develop the skills required by our local employers.

SCC campuses are located 50, 70, and 90 miles from Auburn making it impractical for those already employed to commute to classes. Many of those who become enrolled as fulltime students at these and other campuses take jobs in Nebraska’s larger cities and never return to the local area following completion of their programs resulting in a net outmigration of good trained workers from our communities.

We have a number of manufacturers who desire to expand, but find it difficult to fill existing openings despite offering attractive wage and benefit packages. Healthcare professionals wishing to upgrade their skills find it difficult to do so without giving up their present employment and being away from their families for extended periods of time to take classes and clinical practicums far removed from their homes.

As you plan for the future, please include in that plan community-based Outreach Programs at one or more centers providing affordable workforce training within easy commuting distance of students from rural communities like our own.

You don’t have to look far to discover how other states are using education as a means to build rural economies. Highland Community College in Northeast Kansas already has enrollment centers offering classes, besides at Highland, at Atchison, Baileyville, Holton, Perry, and Wamego.

Sincerely,

Dr. Paul Illich, President

Members of the Southeast Community College Board of Governors

SCC – Area Office

301 S. 68th Street Place, 5th Floor

Lincoln, NE 68510-2449

Dear Dr. Illich & Members of the SCC Board of Governors:

As a resident and taxpayer in Richardson County I wish to express my support for creation by Southeast Community College of an Outreach Program to improve its delivery of workforce training to residents of the far southeast corner of the district as the College develops its 2015-2019 Strategic Plan. Community-based education is needed to enable members of our workforce to develop the skills required by our local employers.

SCC campuses are located 70, 90, and 120 miles from Falls City making it impractical for those already employed to commute to classes. Many of those who become enrolled as fulltime students at these and other campuses take jobs in Nebraska’s larger cities and never return to the local area following completion of their programs resulting in a net outmigration of good trained workers from our communities.

We have a number of manufacturers who desire to expand, but find it difficult to fill existing openings despite offering attractive wage and benefit packages. Healthcare professionals wishing to upgrade their skills find it difficult to do so without giving up their present employment and being away from their families for extended periods of time to take classes and clinical practicums far removed from their homes.

As you plan for the future, please include in that plan community-based Outreach Programs at one or more centers providing affordable workforce training within easy commuting distance of students from rural communities like our own.

You don’t have to look far to discover how other states are using education as a means to build rural economies. Highland Community College, Highland, KS, just 32 short miles from Falls City, already has enrollment centers offering classes, besides at Highland, at Atchison, Baileyville, Holton, Perry, and Wamego.

Sincerely,

Tri-State Labor Committee

Falls City Economic Development & Growth Enterprise

1705 Stone Street

Falls City, NE 68355

April 8, 2015

Residents of Southeast Nebraska:

Southeast Community College is in the process of developing its 2015-2019 Strategic Plan. As a part of this process, the College has been seeking community input from all 15 counties within SCC’s service area. Our EDGE “Tri-State Labor Basin Study Committee” has urged SCC to develop an Outreach Program to improve its delivery of workforce training to residents of the southeast corner of the district. However, we need letters from persons like you…students, parents, workers, employers, educators, public officials, school boards, city councils, and county governments and organizations … to demonstrate the need for such an Outreach Program.

Our committee has found a need for development of community-based education to provide the skills required of its workforce by many of our local employers. SCC campuses are located 70, 90, and 120 miles from Falls City and 50, 70, and 90 miles from Auburn making it impractical for those already employed to commute to classes. Many of those who become enrolled as fulltime students at these and other campuses never return to the local area following completion of their programs resulting in a net outmigration of good trained workers from our communities. Recently of the 1770 who graduated from SCC, only 8 took jobs in Richardson County, 9 in Nemaha County, 5 in Johnson County, and 1 in Pawnee County.

We have a number of manufacturers in the southeast-most counties in Nebraska, including some who desire to expand, who continue to need good trained workers despite offering attractive wage and benefit packages. Healthcare professionals wishing to upgrade their skills find it difficult to do so without giving up their present employment and being away from their families for extended periods of time to take classes and clinical practicums far removed from their homes.

These are not problems without solutions. Training in the needed work skills are already offered by SCC which receives $2.8 million in property taxes from the four counties in Southeast Nebraska. It is time for the College to shift its course from centralization of all its resources in the north and western parts of the District to add community-based Outreach Programs at one or more centers within easy commuting distance of students from rural communities like our own.

You don’t have to look far to discover how other states are using education as a means to build rural economies. Highland Community College, Highland, KS, just 32 short miles from Falls City, has enrollment centers offering classes, besides at Highland, at Atchison, Baileyville, Holton, Perry, and Wamego.

Thank you in advance for providing your input.

Sincerely,

Charlie Radatz, Chairman

EDGE Tri-State Labor Committee