Opinion: Workforce development and a college education

Jeremy Harris

Recently, I had the privilege to be part of a tour that showcased two manufacturing businesses and a manufacturing training center.

Sponsored by U.S. Congressman Eric Burlison’s office, the tour highlighted technologically advanced manufacturing in our area. It was fascinating to see the innovative technologies used in the modern manufacturing process: robotic assembly lines, sensor driven conveyor systems, automated processes from start to finish, and much more. Yet, the most interesting takeaway from the tour was the human element. While machines and computers did much of the heavy lifting, the human employees oversaw all the processes and technology. Robots may be able to repeat a fabrication process more efficiently and for longer than a human, but who came up with the process in the first place? Who built and programmed the machines to do what they must for hours and days on end? Who fixes the machines when they eventually fail? The human element.

In both manufacturing centers, workforce development was an integral part of their human resource processes. As the St. Louis Federal Reserve describes workforce development, “The term has come to describe a relatively wide range of activities, policies and programs employed by geographies to create, sustain and retain a viable workforce that can support current and future business and industry.” The Fed goes on to subdivide the different perspectives on workforce development into three categories: the individual, the community or region, and the organizational. Where educational, public and private social service organizations are focused on improving the economic outlook of the individual, communities focus on “sustainable economic growth.” Finally, employers seek to increase the skills of their employees to remain competitive.

Both manufacturing businesses on the tour provided internal and external training and learning opportunities for new and seasoned employees. Both offered tuition reimbursement for college classes, especially those oriented toward manufacturing. Both had educational agreements with a local community college to provide classes and training; one of the businesses had a three-year apprenticeship program. Always seeking new employees, both organizations hire those with experience and those with no experience fresh out of high school. It was interesting to hear stories of employees starting at the bottom entry levels and, over the years, learning each of the processes involved in manufacturing the products. Eventually some of them moved to senior management positions and now train new employees. This provides evidence of developing a workforce both internally and externally with an educational partner.

But what of the business processes beyond manufacturing? While starting on the assembly line floor did not require a college degree, managers were encouraged to earn college degrees that would benefit the company. Business functions (finance, accounting, human resources, procurement, etc.) did require applicants and employees to have not only college degrees but associated certifications as well. Once a part of the company, though, employees in those business function-related fields became part of the internal workforce development process that included incentives to gain further certifications and degrees. It is evident that continual employee improvement and learning at every level enhances and strengthens company efficiency and economic outlook.

What does this mean for the four-year college degree? Yes, it is possible to earn a good living without having to attend college. But to grow economically and professionally, college classes and even degrees are imperative, especially if a person desires to go into the fields of finance, accounting, management, human resources and technology.

College graduates earn on average $1.2 million more dollars over a lifetime than those with just a high school diploma, according to the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities. Yes, too much college debt is a big problem that can affect an entire family tree. But if planned wisely by taking on as little debt as possible (or none) and majoring in a degree that assures a good income, then a college degree remains a very good investment. Is college for everyone? No. Can college be for anyone? Most assuredly, yes. There are opportunities, experiences, and knowledge that can only be gained while attending college.

To develop a workforce that is competitive, can sustain itself economically and grow with the future, education in many forms is necessary.

Jeremy Harris is a professor at Evangel University and chair of the Department of Business. He can be reached at harrisj@evangel.edu.