Factors affecting community college involvement in customized training

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze those factors which facilitated or impeded selected community colleges' involvement with customized training, as determined by key administrative personnel of the Virginia Community College System. Identified factors were analyzed to determine their effect on the nature and scope of the customized training offered.

This was a qualitative study which consisted of interviewing administrators at three community colleges in Virginia. Site selection criteria which provided variation for analysis purposes were the (a) size of the college, (b) location of the college, and (c) type of business and industry in the college's service region. Thirty preliminary interviews were conducted throughout Virginia and 28 administrators were interviewed at the chosen colleges. The following questions were posed to guide, but not constrain the study: 1. What are the factors that facilitate the Virginia Community College System in offering customized training? 2. What are the factors that impede the Virginia Community College System from offering customized training? 3. What is the relationship between the identified factors and the nature and scope of customized training provided?

These 50 minute interviews with the administrators were audio-tape recorded, transcribed using Ami Pro and Wordperfect computer wordprocessor programs, and coded and analyzed using Ethnograph, a qualitative research analysis software program. Factors which emerged as either facilitative or impeditive were (a) leadership, (b) philosophy, (c) policies and procedures, (d) personnel, (e) infrastructure, and (f) resources. Site selection criteria also emerged as factors. These factors were analyzed for each site and across sites.