While many readers have been learning of the enrollment decline and negative financial condition Rochester Community and Technical College has been experiencing, this should give us reason to pause and ponder.
Are we missing the target for providing programs that truly meet the needs of employers students? Southeastern Minnesota, in addition to being a major employer in heath care and allied industries, includes agriculture and manufacturing. We have a number of large dairy, swine and turkey producers who could used technically educated employees to breed, care for and raise animals. Yet, we offer nothing for animal nutrition, livestock management techniques, breeding and genetics.
Manufacturing needs competent employees who have technical skills in programmable logic controller programming, robotics, machining, drafting and welding. We also face a larger challenge with adult literacy and life skills.
I know many individuals like myself who started out with two-year technical degrees, which provided us with the foundation to grow into bachelors programs, masters and PhDs. The University of Minnesota Technical College in Waseca provided that opportunity. Since its closure, no school in Minnesota has been able to come close to meeting the needs of education, employers or students.
Perhaps a closer look at their model could bring the change RCTC needs to get back on track. I for one would love the challenge to bring this vision to fruition. Supporters will join.
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Lonnie Otterson
Rochester
