Monaca, PA – The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) hosted its commencement on May 2, adding 173 graduates to the area’s workforce. It joined the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC) today in celebrating its graduates as part of the 7,530 students who graduated from one of the state’s 15 community colleges.
“Now we watch with enormous amounts of Titan Pride to see who [our students] will become, what they will do, and how they will choose to go for the gold,” said CCBC president, Roger W. Daivs during the 55th annual commencement ceremony.
Based on current census and population data, it is estimated Pennsylvania’s projected skilled worker shortage could reach 820,000 in the coming years. To meet the state’s workforce needs and support continued economic growth, more workers will be required with appropriate credentials and training tailored to regional employer needs – an area in which community colleges excel.
Community college graduates continue to fill workforce needs in their communities with the vast majority receiving degrees in high priority occupation areas including the health sciences, early childhood education, teacher training, the trades, manufacturing, and information technology/computer science. At CCBC, those top five areas included nursing, radiologic technology, health sciences, business management, and air traffic control.
“At CCBC, we are committed to helping students achieve success on career pathways that enable our graduates to finish stronger than they started, find support along the way, and ultimately bolster the region’s workforce post-graduation,” stated CCBC provost Shelly Moore.
The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania conducted a survey of 70 of its hospitals in November of 2023 and found that one-third of registered nurse positions were vacant. The need is in sharp contrast to levels before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Health sciences led the list of degrees granted this May at community colleges statewide. CCBC was a vital part of that effort with 59 nursing graduates, 18 radiologic technology graduates, and 12 students earning an associate degree in health sciences. The list of graduates included husband and wife nurses.
Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges have over 245,000 students enrolled on their 80 campuses, providing real savings to students and families as they pursue additional credentials. On average, students save $30,000 on their education by starting at, or selecting, a community college for their degree or certificate. Those same 15 colleges partner with 2,170 employers for workforce training ensuring that students have the most up-to-date knowledge, and providing pathways to careers for them as well.
At CCBC, that included graduate Carter Denelle who earned his associate’s degree in professional pilot who had the unique honor of graduating from college before he graduated from high school. He combined college in high school with the aviation academy and additional dual enrollment courses to soar to success. He graduated from Beaver High School this month.
Community colleges are the state’s largest provider of public postsecondary education and workforce training and offer the lowest public postsecondary tuition in Pennsylvania. Additionally, 75 percent (75%) of the community colleges’ programs align with High Priority Occupations in fields such as healthcare, manufacturing and public safety. They award over 4,000 healthcare credentials annually on average, including 75 percent of all associate degrees in nursing in the state. It is estimated that about 55 percent of undergraduate students who are enrolled in a Pennsylvania college are enrolled at one of the 15 community colleges in the state.