One of the most common characteristics associated with high-quality technical/ occupational education programs is their close ties with business, industry, and labor.

Technical/occupational education today must align with and fulfill employers’ needs for competent, high-performing employees who enter the workforce with technology expertise and fundamental job-success skills. Because technical/occupational education programs must be integral parts of the communities they serve, it is necessary to have close cooperation between the college and local employers. Employers have a strong self-interest in helping postsecondary education improve and in helping students succeed. One of the most effective ways of providing a link between the community and the college is through advisory committees. Advisory committees are essential to the successful initiation of technical/occupational programs, and they play an important role in guiding, strengthening, and improving existing programs. Business, industry, and labor representatives have a wealth of expertise, personnel, and technologies to offer community and technical college systems.

What is an advisory committee? An advisory committee is a group of employers and employees who advise educators on the design, development, implementation,

evaluation, maintenance, and revision of technical/occupational education programs. Each advisory committee is made up of individuals with experience and expertise in the occupational field that the program serves.

Characteristics of an Advisory Committee

The program advisory committee is established to assist in program improvement. An effective committee is one that knows that something positive will occur as a result of its work. The committee must decide what it wants to accomplish and then develop a plan to accomplish it. Key to the success of any advisory committee is commitment—on the part of the committee members as well as participating educational administrators and

faculty members. The college can set the tone for this cooperative venture.

Roles of Advisory Committees

The roles of the advisory committee are to advise, assist, support, and advocate the technical/occupational education program. Advisory committees also provide

specifications for a program and help to ensure the quality of program graduates. An advisory committee’s role is not to “rubber stamp” what already exists, but to offer

suggestions for improvements that will help the program grow and expand.

Advisory committees can provide:

Specifications

Validation of content

Assessment of program quality

Unique education/training experiences

Credibility

Assistance in adapting skill standards for local needs

A successful advisory committee is one that plans and carries out a program of work that aligns the technical/occupational program with employers’ needs. The program of work will most likely include these broad areas:  

Assessment and counsel—The advisory committee assesses each area of the program and offers suggestions on ways to improve that area. For example, the

committee might suggest ways to modify the curriculum, review teaching materials for technical accuracy, provide information on equipment and vendors, and establish safety guidelines.  

Assistance—The advisory committee assists the program by helping instructors and administrators secure mentors and internships for students. The committee

also assists with placement of graduates.  

Promotion and advocacy—The advisory committee promotes the technical/occupational education program in the community. Promotion and advocacy can take forms such as communicating with legislators, arranging

publicity, presenting programs to civic groups, and authoring newspaper articles.

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