Dr. Owens meets with U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
From the Office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
February 15, 2011
Sen. Brown meets with president of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today met with presidents and trustees of Ohio Community Colleges, including Dr. O’dell M. Owens, President of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.
“Cincinnati State and Ohio’s network of community colleges are one of the best kept secrets of our nation. They’re at the frontline of our efforts to meet the demand for high-skilled workers in high-growth sectors like clean energy manufacturing, health care, and information technology,” Brown said. “It’s always good to meet with leaders of Ohio community colleges and work alongside them as we meet the President’s call to out-educate and out-innovate the world.”
Brown discussed ways to bolster Ohio’s community colleges, which play a vital role in increasing college affordability and access.
At the White House Summit on Community Colleges in October, President Obama advocated for a jobs training initiative similar to Brown’s Strengthening Employment Clusters to Organize Regional Success” (SECTORS) Act. The SECTORS Act would support the development of specialized workforce training programs at two-year colleges to meet regional workforce needs of emerging industries or “sectors.”
The SECTORS Act addresses the disparity between high unemployment rates and a shortage of skilled workers for many emerging industries. Despite the nation’s 9.5 percent unemployment rate, there is still demand in today's labor market for skilled workers. This is particularly true for “middle-skill” jobs that require more than a high school degree but less than a four-year college degree. These jobs make up nearly half of America’s labor market and provide good compensation for workers.
To address this disparity, the SECTORS Act provides grants for sector partnerships among institutions of higher education, industry, organized labor, and workforce board. These partnerships would create customized solutions for specific industries at the regional level. A sector approach can focus on the dual goals of promoting the long-term competitiveness of industries and advancing employment opportunities for workers.
