Kuster Hosts Community College, Higher Ed Roundtable

U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, held an open roundtable forum at NHTI in Concord on Jan. 23, on the importance of increasing access to community college and workforce development programs in order to prepare New Hampshire students for 21st century jobs. In addition to learning about NHTI’s skill training programs, Kuster heard from students, educators, and college administrators about President Obama’s recently announced community college proposal.

Kuster also highlighted her own steps in Congress to support job training programs, including a bill she introduced to encourage local companies to partner with community colleges to develop workforce development programs for students.

“I was pleased to get a chance to meet with students, college administrators, business leaders and other Granite Staters for this important discussion on how we can expand access to community college and job training programs,” said Kuster. “These programs are critical to preparing Granite Staters for the jobs of the 21st century economy. That’s why I introduced legislation to encourage employers to partner with community colleges to provide workforce development programs for students in New Hampshire and across the country. I will carry the insights and ideas shared with me today back to Washington, as I continue to advocate for affordable, quality job training and higher education.”

Kuster is committed to ensuring that every Granite State student can access the job training and college education necessary to further their careers. During today’s roundtable discussion, she heard from local students, educators, and college administrators about how Congress can best help Granite State families afford community college. She was also joined by representatives from the business community and NHTI Business & Industry Training Center, who shared thoughts about how to bolster workforce development programs on the federal level.

Kuster is the author of the Workforce Development Investment Act, which would provide tax credits to employers that partner with community colleges or other educational institutions to improve workforce development and job training for students.

Submitted text and courtesy photo.