Throughout the recession we hear, read and see countless media reports connecting community colleges and jobs.  It is a connection repeated so often, it may well qualify as a cliche.  That doesn’t mean it isn’t true.

Case in point:  A story in today’s Daily Press of Newport News illustrates the direct connection between what is taught in Virginia’s Community Colleges – in this case, Thomas Nelson Community College – and the ability of individuals to use that knowledge and those skills to land the type of job that will allow them to support a family:

A year to the day after Canon Virginia Inc. announced a $625 million expansion in Newport News, the company will open its new 700,000-square-foot manufacturing center in Oyster Point on Friday…

Canon’s Hampton Roads expansion is expected to lead to more than 1,000 new jobs over the next four years…

The new jobs will carry an average annual salary of $40,000 and require technical training that will be provided by local colleges and universities…

For several weeks, new hires have been in training classes provided by Thomas Nelson Community College and Canon.

The article goes on to discuss the joy local officials have over being able to cut the ribbon on such a significant employment opportunity in such a fragile economy.

The bottom line is that community colleges are a game-changer for both the individuals who walk through its doors and for the communities in which they are located.  More and more, that message is getting through.