February 11, 2013

Work-Force Demand for STEM Students Spurs Efforts at Community Colleges

Work-Force Demand for STEM Students Spurs Efforts at Community Colleges 1

David Zentz for The Chronicle

Celina Prado (center) is enrolled in the STEM Transfer Program at Santa Barbara City College, which guides students from basic-skills classes to four-year institutions.

By Katherine Mangan

As concerns grow over impending work-force shortages in science and technology fields, educators are looking to community colleges to fill the gap.

It isn't just in research and other professionalized posts where talent in STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math—is needed. Shortages exist for technicians and skilled workers in advanced manufacturing, welding, and other technology-driven industries as well.

Georgetown University's Center on Education and the