It's probably no surprise to learn that there was a time when college was only for the privileged. While much of that has changed, it likely would still be a system of haves and have-nots if not for the community college system. Community colleges provide equal opportunity in the form of lower tuition costs, close proximity to home, financial aid and ethnic and socioeconomic diversity. Community colleges also are a haven for non-traditional students that may not be able to afford to go to a university or who feel out of place on a university campus. After all, not everyone decides they want to attend college at 18 years of age.
For older students, community college is a good place to start a college education, and for lower-income students it may provide the only possibility of post-secondary education. The same is true for students with full-time jobs or those who have children at home who need a flexible education schedule to coincide with their personal or professional lives.
Community colleges are among the biggest contributors to adult education and literacy, according to the Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy website. Community colleges are often the first place adults look to for gaining job skills to make them more marketable. Professional certification courses and diploma programs can help non-traditional college students catch up on new skills needed in their field or prepare themselves for a new field of work altogether.
For students who never finished high school, community colleges also help prepare for graduation equivalency exams and award diplomas. GED programs are an important part of the community college system's contribution to community service.
Community colleges are taking part in an increasing trend of working to customize educational offerings for the community's local businesses. Although job-specific training has traditionally been offered through vocational schools, community colleges are now taking part in educating students in vocational-type classes that lead to certifications to perform specific job duties. Often a community college will offer programs based on the types of work that are common in the community itself. For example, if the town is home to an industry that requires many welders, it is likely the local community college will offer welding courses through a vocational training program.
According to the Port Jobs website, the number of foreign-born workers in the United States grew to more than 38 million in 2007. The trend of immigrants coming to America is expected to continue to grow over the next 50 years. Since many immigrants are unskilled workers and the American job market is relying more and more on skilled workers, there must be some place for these workers to become skilled in a trade. That's where community colleges come in. Community colleges enroll nearly half of all undergraduate students in the United States, and nearly a quarter of those students are from immigrant backgrounds. Community colleges are the key to making sure this large portion of the population can contribute in the future of the job market.