Displaced Workers and The Higher Education Community

DISPLACED WORKERS
AND THE
HIGHER EDUCATION COMMUNITY

By: Robert Miller

The current economic downturn has caused many displaced workers to return to higher education seeking education to further existing careers or for total career changes. This has had a dramatic influence of the world of higher education due to the unique aspects of the students. (Unsworth, 2009)

The typical displaced worker/ student is often a middle aged person with primary educational levels who tends to be proficient in their chosen skills or trades. Many levels of proficiently and abilities exist within this student population and is largely due to time of practical workforce experience. These students must often balance family and school concerns with the necessity of obtaining employment to support financial responsibilities.

Many of these students will access various student aid programs to offset financial constraints, but usually this will only provide enough monetary support to cover tuition and books. This leaves the necessity of income sufficient to cover personal and household expenses while attending school. The response I have to work and take care of the family is a common reason that non-traditional students fail to finish their program of study.

These students are going to be attracted to programs which are offered both on campus and through distant education, as they attempt to determine which programs will be the best fit for their goals and needs. The student will need clear and accurate program information during this process and this requirement will fall on the shoulders of academic advisors to offer sound up to date information as the students traverse their educational pathway. (Unsworth, 2009)

The higher educational community will have to adapt to meet the many unique needs of these displaced worker/students while attempting to meet currently reduced operating budgets. This will require schools to seek new funding sources from both the public and private sectors to provide increased monetary support for students. These partnerships will foster the creation of Co-op opportunities and allow for internships and permanent placement opportunities for students. The additional funding provided by the federal government to help these types of students return to higher education will reap long term benefits due to the increased knowledge of technology and current workplace skills.("Dept. of Education, 2009")

The influence of the displaced worker/student will present a major boom to the entire educational system once the hurdles have been overcome. The trickle-down effect of the technology created to accommodate these students in the short term will have long lasting consequences for future distance educational programs. .The classroom technologies used in coursework delivery methods will serve as a bridge to the technology and skills sets required to meet the needs of tomorrow’s workplace.
 
References

Unsworth, J. (2009, 2/31/2009). Dislocated Workers (White paper). Retrieved from University of Illinois: https://apps.lis.illinois.edu/wiki/pages/viewinfo.action?pageID=9962131

U.S Department of Education .Working adults and displaced workers get boost with 11 million in grants to go to college. (2009, 10/04/2009). The government monitor, Retrieved from www.thegovmoniter.com