OTC strategic plan emphasizes facilities, workforce development

Ozarks Technical Community College this morning unveiled its strategic plan through 2025.

The plan zeroes in on facility improvements, workforce development efforts and educational goals. OTC officials are required to align their goals with the institution’s strategic plan moving forward, according to a news release.

One of the strategic initiatives calls on the addition of technical training facilities, completing a new facility master plan and modernizing information technology infrastructure.

The report references OTC’s proposed $20 million Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Technology, as well as:
    •    construction of a new educational center on donated land in Republic;
    •    relocation of the school’s agriculture program to its Richwood Valley campus;
    •    expansion of technical education programs at its Table Rock Campus;
    •    parking improvements; and
    •    reduction of technology costs through modernization efforts.

In the area of workforce development, OTC plans to seek additional partnerships with employers, school districts, universities and other organizations; continue to engage with the community; and improve the community college’s fiscal sustainability via donations and other sources.

Specifics in workforce development include:
    •    increasing the number of high school students participating in OTC training;
    •    working with local employers who offer tuition reimbursement programs;
    •    expanding apprenticeship and internship programs; and
    •    securing a more than 90 percent placement rate for career and technical program graduates.

“As the community’s college, our goal is to meet the needs of the communities that we serve,” said Hal Higdon, OTC chancellor, in the release. “Evaluating our goals and soliciting feedback from our students and our internal and external stakeholders, ensures we are meeting these needs.”