Corporate Solutions & Economic Development Focuses on Customization

Satisfying growing workforce development demand sits at the core of TCC’s mission and is central to the mission of its Corporate Solutions & Economic Development (CSED) division. Led by Executive Vice President Shannon Bryant, the division’s new strategic direction is to meet companies where they are and create customized solutions to help fill and sustain their workforce pipeline.

Partnering with industry and businesses is nothing new for TCC; demand, however, has grown tremendously. According to Chancellor Eugene Giovannini, “More and more, community colleges find themselves meeting the ongoing needs of education and learning for businesses within the community. Where we have found ourselves, specifically with Corporate Solutions & Economic Development, is organizing in a manner that meets this demand,” he said. The increased demand for workforce development is based on an anticipated surge in net migration—new companies and employees moving into the area.

With Fort Worth now ranked the 13th largest city in the nation and Tarrant County among the top three fastest-growing counties in Texas, corporations are actively looking west of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to put down roots and grow.

Over the next 10 years, future job growth is predicted to reach 40 percent, which is higher than the United States average of 33.5 percent, according to bestplaces.net.

Indeed, the online source cites Tarrant County as an attractive place to relocate because it has a below-average unemployment rate of 3.5 percent (U.S. average is 3.7 percent); affordable labor with the average salary at $57,727; and, low-cost real estate, with the average median home cost at $218,300.

Among Tarrant County residents, 86 percent are also high school graduates or beyond, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Combine that with Tarrant County’s proximity to DFW International Airport as well as access to a robust system of highways, rail and bus transportation for commuting, and it is a winning proposition for businesses looking to relocate.

“CSED was created to respond to this growth opportunity,” explained Bryant, who said her goal is to help position TCC as the premier destination for workforce development in North Texas.

Focusing on customization

Our approach is what makes CSED different from other workforce development options. We understand that no two businesses are alike, and customization is important to meet specific needs. We also know that businesses want a practical application, not theory. Our process includes customization using examples only relevant to the business and work at hand, tailored through facilitation, coaching and consulting work.

Shannon Bryant
Executive Vice President
Corporate Solutions & Economic Development

In this spirit, CSED adheres to the methodology of andragogy application, recognizing the need for adults to learn in their own way. According to the American educator Malcolm Knowles, there are varying principles as it relates to adult learners versus child learners (pedagogy), including:

• Self-concept—adult learners are self-directed.
• Experience—adults use experience and past lessons as the foundation of their basis for learning.
• Relevant experience—adults learn based on what is most relevant to their professional and personal life.
• Problem-centered—adults look at learning from the lens of not just context, but the need to gain knowledge, apply skills and solve problems.
• Motivation—for adults, the motivation to learn is internal.

CSED experts will apply this methodology to all customized solutions, using the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation) model to develop content that is clear and effective to the needs of learners and the businesses they serve.

Meeting companies where they are

CSED solutions are specific to economic development, employers, individual development and industry associations, with key areas of focus including:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Entrepreneurship
• Financial Services
• Health Care
• Information Technology
• Online Skill Building Learning Opportunities
• Organizational Effectiveness & Leadership
• Other customized needs

“CSED experts will be working alongside company resources—‘meeting them where they are’—to custom design everything from leadership development initiatives to new process flows,” Bryant explained. “We’ll be focusing both on effectiveness, which involves the more abstract, softer concepts, and efficiency, or the harder, more straightforward sciences, including LEAN production methods and a growing demand for safety programs.”

She added that the division also will be working through industry partnerships to provide sought-after certifications and other services.” For instance, CSED has partnered to offer an asynchronous review program for the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam prep. The SIE exam, which was rolled out in 2018 by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), is considered the gold standard for finance professionals to demonstrate competency in their industry.

Building on TCC strengths

Ultimately, CSED is all about leveraging the abundant expertise that characterizes TCC, applying a customized approach to meet specific business needs. As one of the nation’s 20-largest higher education institutions, TCC is uniquely positioned to support the ongoing needs of businesses not only in Tarrant County, but across North Texas and beyond.

As a testament to this, TCC was recently ranked #1 among U.S. community colleges and trade schools, according to the 2021 Trade College Search ranking analysis produced by TradeCollege.org, which teamed with College Factual, a leading higher education analytics company, drawing on data from the U.S. Department of Education, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), College Scorecard and National Loan Data System (NSLDS).

Along with the top overall position, TCC also earned 24 additional awards, including:

• #1 in Best Architectural Engineering Technology Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region
• #1 in Best Construction Engineering Technology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Texas
• #1 in Best Electronics Engineering Technology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region
• #2 in Best Mechanic & Repair Technologies Trade Schools in Texas

“This recognition reinforces and supports why TCC is such an ideal choice for workforce development,” Bryant said.

Investing in people

Bryant’s takeaway message to corporations is simple. “We want organizations to know that we approach learning and development as a strategic investment in people—their greatest resource. Knowledgeable, skilled people are the lifeblood of long-term workforce sustainability. Without them, growth is not possible.

“If we are successful, we will provide value to people’s lives, which strengthens communities for us all.” She added that this fits with CSED’s mission to provide customized solutions and relevant learning and development programs to ensure the surrounding community has an educated, skilled workforce.

“We are already known as experts in our community; now, we are bringing this together through CSED, casting a wider, more strategic net.”

Find more information about Corporate Solutions & Economic Development.