Lean Learning Gaps in Southeastern Connecticut Corporations and Community Colleges.

摘要

Southeastern Connecticut has high unemployment, business failures, and loss of skilled workers. A lean organization may provide the tools, processes, and focus towards developing an adaptive and value-creating workforce culture. It is for this purpose of value-creation that Connecticut employers and Connecticut community colleges need to collaborate towards establishing lean learning subjects and curricula. This project study identified the greatest need in knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies from the perspectives of regional organizations and community colleges. Guided by constructivism and transformational learning, a modified preestablished survey instrument and subject interview was used to collect data from higher education administrators, local company executives, business owners, and instructional experts ( N = 10). The Delphi technique provided convergence of data results, and summary data were categorized, coded, recorded, and reported using qualitative methods and descriptive statistics. Results indicated that 90% of respondents reported the ability to problem solve was the most important attribute, while team participation and customer/client service were the top competencies. Study results were used to create an executive consultancy report detailing the need for higher-order learning and instruction. Improved regional employment may occur by providing skills-ready workers to fill employers' existing and future workforce needs. Positive social change may occur when colleges and businesses collaborate towards fulfilling advanced skills curricula and job training programs' needs.