Although community colleges offer many Career Technical Education (CTE) programs that lead to high-wage, in-demand careers, it can be challenging to attract and recruit students most in need of economic mobility. With community colleges likely to see dramatic increases in enrollments in the coming months, it is imperative that students from underrepresented populations and communities are prioritized – these are the populations who have been hardest hit during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis. So what can state and local leaders do to support the recruitment of these priority populations to help upskill and reskill their way to a liveable wage? Based on the insights from a national survey and focus groups, this webinar explored the Aspen Institute’s insights on the barriers and motivations for under-/unemployed youth and adults related to their education and career. This webinar helped participants understand diverse student perspectives and explore questions around access and equity to help inform the way you communicate about CTE postsecondary opportunities at the state and local levels.

Presenter: Tess Henthorne, Program Manager, College Excellence Program, The Aspen Institute, DC

Facilitator: Katie Fitzgerald, Director of Communications and Membership, Advance CTE, Maryland