The NH advantage is frequently cited to promote the outstanding benefits of living and working in the Granite State. Our advantages are more often than not tied to NHs favorable business climate, economic resiliency and high quality workforce. Additionally, NHs on-going ranking as the nations most livable state, the healthiest state in the country and the state with the lowest per capita crime rate all reinforce why NH residents and business leaders like living and working here.
Unquestionably, NH benefits from a strong positive correlation between the educational attainment of our citizens and their per capita income. Ranked as the 10th mostly highly educated state in the country and with a median household income of more than $62,000, NH citizens are among the most well-educated and highly compensated. Maintaining our status may prove to be a challenge, but one we are well-prepared to meet through the cooperation that already exists between the states businesses and higher education institutions to ensure NH is prepared for the 21st century economy.
In Nashua, Daniel Webster College is creating a technologically-focused workforce in the classroom and within regional businesses. Specialized graduate degree programs enable industry sector managers to address business and economic challenges, and retain their best talent. Partnerships with companies deliver customized training for their employees.
The college's new MBA for Technology and Innovation Leadership (MBA-TIL) is more technology-focused than a traditional MBA, addressing a business environment where technology shapes innovation. Entrepreneurship, project management, new product development and ethics have joined traditional MBA subjects as the foundation for success in a rapidly changing global market. The Daniel Webster MBA for aviation professionals was developed in response to the aviation industrys need for innovative solutions and leaders in a time of rising fuel costs and market instability.This online program is delivered by world-renowned aviation experts to domestic and international students.
Two other successful partnerships are with Nashuas Professional Software for Nurses Inc. (PSNI) and BAE Systems. PSNI partners with Daniel Webster Colleges Corporate Services department to offer .NET developer training for key personnel; BAE Systems leverages the colleges expertise to provide customized UNIX training to systems and field engineers.
The University System of NH institutions also play an essential role in training NHs future leaders. Business liaisons at each campus serve as a single point of contact to answer questions and make connections. To help train future leaders, the NH Small Business Development Center, an outreach program of UNH's Whittemore School of Business, recently launched E-Learning for Entrepreneurs. These free online courses focus on business management, finance and marketing. During beta tests, entrepreneurs in 125 NH communities took more than 500 courses.
At Plymouth State University, the North Country Teachers Certification Program trains and re-trains residents to fill key regional teaching positions.Keene State College trains safety professionals across New England and recently launched an electronic newsletter for businesses that addresses educational needs, internship questions and other issues or needs. Through regional and academic centers, Granite State College reaches statewide and is committed to educating and training employees within the business community. Its Business Boot Camp is the latest effort to offer professional development for small businesses.
At the Community College System of NH, the seven system campuses are stepping up efforts to provide customized training to meet the needs of the states dislocated workers, incumbent workforce and employers. River Valley Community College in Claremont serves as the educational partner in a $1.8 million program to provide customized training for employees of Upper Valley manufacturers including Hypertherm Inc. of Hanover and Timken Inc. of Lebanon. The STAR (Skills Through Apprenticeship and Retraining) program offers dislocated workers in the North Country and the Upper Valley an opportunity for a career, a college education and a nationally recognized industry certification. The college also offers workers an accelerated two-year advanced manufacturing apprenticeship while they are employed with Hypertherm, NSA Industries of Lyndonville, VT or Timken. Workers earn River Valley Community College credits that can be applied towards an associate degree. They can also receive three nationally recognized industry certifications.
Those are but a few of the countless business and higher education partnerships now in place across NH. Unquestionably, as new workforce and demographic trends emerge, the demand for expanding business and higher education collaborations will become even more critical to maintaining our NH advantage.
Tom Horgan is president and CEO of the NH College and University Council, a nonprofit consortium of public and private colleges and universities. He can be reached at 603-225-4199 or horgan@nhcuc.org, or visit www.nhcuc.org.
Current Issue - April 2024