This article is the first of a weekly series which will discuss topics of interest to your post-secondary education systems and, specifically, topics that relate to your local Community College, which serves all of Coös County and the northern parts of Carroll and Grafton counties.
First, we are announcing our new name -- the Community College System of New Hampshire. Each of our Colleges is now an independent Community College. They are located throughout NH in Berlin, Claremont, Concord, Laconia, Manchester, Nashua, and Stratham. You may have heard on the radio or have seen our new name on television and wondered, are they the same as the Vo-tech or the technical college up the road? Yes, it is your Community College. You may know of us and use a different name, but we are your Community Colleges that serve the state of New Hampshire. We are often the first affordable access point for learners of all ages who are seeking a College education which will then transfer to other higher education institutions. We are also the Colleges to come to learn technical skills that will move you into a different job.
Our Community Colleges are an integral part of all the communities that we serve, providing education as a means of economic and workforce development. With strong business partnerships, associate degrees, and certificate programs, we are responsive and market driven. Students receive an education that is in high demand for the local marketplace. Our main campus is located in Berlin and we have academic centers in Littleton, Woodsville, and Conway. Our College reflects the needs of each region that we serve. Our Business Training Center programs can be adjusted and customized to meet the specifications that the local economy is looking for, career changing skill development, or skill enhancement for current employees.
Is the Community College System of New Hampshire different from that of other states? Our nation is facing worker shortages in fields such as nursing, education, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and math and science related technology fields. Nearly half (46%) of undergraduate students in this country are enrolled in one of the 1,200 community colleges nationwide. Community college students have access to the broadest array of education programs that are helping raise standards of living and providing career opportunities specific to the local labor force. New Hampshire Community College-Berlin is no different in the critical role that it plays in keeping our local economy on track by ensuring training that is cost-effective, high quality, and up-to-date for the skills needed today. All the credits that you take at the Community College are transferable to any college in New Hampshire or most colleges throughout the country.
With associate degree and certificate programs in fields such as automotive technology, mobile equipment technology, medical assistant, geographic information systems (GIS), surveying, environmental science, teacher education, early childhood education, criminal justice, and liberal arts, to name a few, NHCC-Berlin offers top-of-the-line education that prepares students for work in our local communities or wherever they wish to go. Many of NHCC-Berlin's programs offer hands-on experience through co-ops, internships, or apprenticeships by partnering with local businesses. Students can feel confident that they are leaving the Community College with the skills that employers are looking for: leadership skills, communications skills, and hands-on technical experience.
For many years the stigma of Community Colleges has been "You're just the Votech" or “You're not a 'real' college." Well, that is just not true and has not been for many years. Your Community College would like to challenge you to learn more about what skills you can gain by coming to see us. Come to an event, a library book discussion, or even just to find out what you do not know about us and about how we have grown .We are truly a comprehensive Community College. We all are learners throughout our lives. Please take us up on our challenge and find out more about how your Community College matters to your community.
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