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Webinar recap: Community college strategies for TBED talent development
Listen, refine, apply: Lorain County Community College’s approach to TBED talent development demonstrates a responsive, industry-aligned education strategy. A recent TBED Community of Practice webinar highlighted how this process keeps their semiconductor and microelectronics program in sync with ever-evolving student and industry needs.
Michael Morgenstern, Courtney Tenhover, and Johnny Vanderford from LCCC shared insights on their program’s growth and success. What began with just five employer partners has expanded to 91 partners across Ohio and beyond. Key to their success has been a commitment to industry engagement, with a curriculum constantly refined based on regular employer feedback.
The college offers a range of programs for students, from one-year certificates to associate and bachelor’s degrees, all designed with hands-on, industry-relevant experience at their core. Understanding the choice students often face between pursuing education or earning a living, LCCC follows an “earn and learn” model. This approach integrates paid internships into the core curriculum, allowing students to gain practical experience and earn income while completing their studies.
Throughout the webinar, the speakers highlighted how their program’s growth was incremental and strategic. They emphasized the importance of continuous engagement with industry partners, not just through advisory committees but also through regular one-on-one conversations. This approach allows them to fine-tune their curriculum regularly, ensuring it remains relevant and current.
As the demand for skilled workers in advanced manufacturing continues to grow, LCCC’s model offers valuable lessons for other regions and community colleges looking to develop their TBED workforce. To access the webinar recording and slides and to learn more about LCCC’s methods for developing their TBED workforce, visit SSTI’s webinar library.
This article was prepared by SSTI using Federal funds under award ED22HDQ3070129 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.