Utah’s Technical Colleges
Utah’s area technical centers, known as technical colleges, demonstrate the potential of ATCs when elevated in state policy to improve student outcomes and postsecondary alignment to advance state attainment goals.
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Utah’s technical colleges maintain an elevated and unique stature as eight of the state’s 16 public postsecondary institutions. This profile highlights the legislative evolution of Utah’s technical college system from vocational centers to its current role as postsecondary institutions with a significant role in Utah’s attainment and economic development initiatives.
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There are more area technical centers (ATCs) in the United States than there are community colleges. Despite their prevalence, ATCs are not well understood and, as a result, are often overlooked in wider discussions and decisions regarding postsecondary education and workforce development. These under-utilized public institutions can and should be better leveraged to help more learners equitably access and attain postsecondary education and related credentials of value. Doing so will help close skill and equity gaps and ensure that more Americans have the skills, competencies and credentials they need for future career success and economic prosperity. Building Better Futures for Learners: A 50-State Analysis of Area Technical Centers examines these under-studied and under-utilized public assets.
State Profiles
Delaware’s ATCs
Delaware’s creation of intentional roles for ATCs in their state’s workforce development and postsecondary systems provide an effective model for postsecondary alignment of ATCs and elevating employer connections statewide.
Florida’s Technical Colleges
Florida’s area’s technical centers, known as technical colleges, solely serve postsecondary and adult learners, equipping learners with skills through short-term credentialing programs, which provides a unique lens into the role of ATCs in postsecondary attainment.
Ohio’s Technical Centers
Ohio’s ATCs, known as Ohio technical centers, provide an effective blueprint for tackling the interconnected alignment issues of articulation, transfer and integration with state workforce initiatives to benefit learners.
Oklahoma’s Technology Centers
Oklahoma’s area technical centers, known as technology centers, demonstrate the benefits of an effective balance of state and local oversight that remains nimble to local learner and employer needs while also advancing state workforce development and attainment goals.
Utah’s Technical Colleges
Utah’s area technical centers, known as technical colleges, demonstrate the potential of ATCs when elevated in state policy to improve student outcomes and postsecondary alignment to advance state attainment goals.