S.2103 (Jacobs) / A.4643 (Titus)

STAFF CONTACT :

Manager, Government Affairs
518.694.4465

BILL

S.2103 (Jacobs) / A.4643 (Titus)

SUBJECT

Recommendations by Regional SUNY Community College Councils

DATE

Support

The Business Council of New York State, Inc. supports S.2103 (Jacobs) / A.4643 (Titus) which would require more business engagement in the development of community college degree and certificate programs in order to ensure students have the necessary skills for jobs related to their studies.

Many industries that have high numbers of “middle skills” jobs (those requiring some post-secondary education but less than a four year degree) look to New York’s community colleges for their talent pipeline. We know many community colleges across the state already work well with industry to align degree programs with industry demand, but there is more opportunity for business engagement to provide students access to jobs and businesses access to well-trained workers.  

Additionally, the use of predictive data analytics in informing college programming is something that should be used as much as possible with the data available. Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY has a robust predictive data analytics platform it uses to inform college programming, and as a result, they’ve been able to expand programming for high-growth industries and eliminate programs that didn’t demonstrate an employment demand in their region.

The Business Council supports programs which not only help students attend college, but those that also help students prepare for employment opportunities and ensure New York has the qualified workforce needed to further grow our economy. As such, the Business Council supports S.2103 / A.4643 which would require industry engagement in community college programming and the use of data analytics, to ensure community college students can successfully transition from college to the workforce.