According to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, a recent report entitled Lost in Transition: Building a Better Path From School to College and Careers by the Southern Regional Education Board summarizes the conclusions of 15 state education forums, identifies key barriers and policy issues, and recommends a number of key actions for states to take to improve student transitions from high school to postsecondary studies and careers. One key strategy identified is to increase collaboration among school districts and postsecondary education to implement new ways of learning that blend academic and technical studies and create rich opportunities to provide integrated learning experiences. We at Riverland have also identified this as a key strategy and work with area school districts in a number of ways.

The Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take courses at eligible postsecondary institutions. PSEO students at Riverland simultaneously earn high school and college credits. Some students (where available) also earn college credits in their own high schools by taking concurrent classes – college classes offered at the high school in collaboration with Riverland.

Through our “Tech Prep” program, we have established articulation agreements with Albert Lea, Austin, Owatonna and Southland high schools and other schools in the state and region. Through these agreements, credit is awarded to students for work they complete in high school courses that directly relate to Riverland career and technical education. These courses include accounting, automotive technology, business and office technology, computer technology, construction trades, manufacturing and Web development.

Riverland also has a variety of initiatives federally funded by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act (Perkins). Perkins supports career and technical education through the academic achievement and skill development of career and technical education students and strengthening the connections between secondary and postsecondary education.

We use Perkins funding to support research, development and implementation of career technical education programs and/or courses to meet high-skill, high-wage and high-demand occupations in our region. Our initiatives emphasize connecting local high schools with enhanced career and technical education and creating and promoting career pathways to college that eventually lead to careers with local business and industry. This requires collaboration between the college, school districts and local business owners.

As the need for skilled workers continues to escalate due to an aging workforce and an increased pressure to participate in global competition, Riverland must use effective methods to help young people–the new workforce–be successful. Providing relevant programming, enhancing educational opportunities for secondary and postsecondary students and engaging educators, along with business and industry, are effective strategies by which we can significantly add value to the economic vitality of our region. Our communities deserve no less. Economic vitality is dependent on workforce development, and the heart of workforce development is education.

Terrence Leas is the president of Riverland Community College.