STAKEHOLDERS PERCEPTIONS’ OF THE JAMAICAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
Open Access
- Author:
- Robinson, Sonja Michelle
- Graduate Program:
- Workforce Education and Development
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- January 28, 2021
- Committee Members:
- Mark D Threeton, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Mark D Threeton, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Cynthia Pellock, Committee Member
Wesley Edward Donahue, Committee Member
John Ewing, Outside Member
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Program Head/Chair - Keywords:
- Workforce Education and Development
Work Experience
Community College - Abstract:
- The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore stakeholders’ perceptions on the outcomes of participating in the community college work experience program for bachelor of business administration graduates in one Jamaican community college. This topic was chosen for the purpose of understanding the impact participation in the work experience program has on students’ workforce education and development. Thus, this study was designed to clarify issues relevant to the program through the lens of stakeholders involved at all levels. In addition, there is a paucity of information regarding community college education in Jamaica, it is believed that the results from the study that have been “collated, analyzed and interpreted” will remedy this deficiency (Creswell, 2014). The study’s participant population included graduates, and current students of the business administration program who have participated in the program, faculty, administrators including those who have oversight of the work experience program, and industry partners. The two qualitative methods chosen to collect relevant data for the study were interviews, and focus group interviews. The major theme identified was workforce education and development; followed by six sub-categories (themes); (1) changes to work experience program; (2) career education (career and workplace readiness); (3) employability (employability skills); and (4) job attainment and retention (employment); (5) character development/empowerment, and (6) value which was considered an outlier. The findings from the study provide useful literature on community college education in Jamaica and the work experience program.