Bates Technical College

This Mid-Cycle Self-Evaluation Report for Bates Technical College documents the institution's progress since the 2023 evaluation, showcasing evidence of mission fulfillment, institutional improvement, and student achievement. It outlines advancements guided by the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, which focuses on Workforce Education, Student Focus, and Intentional Engagement. The report details strengthened planning, enhanced data utilization, deepened assessment practices, and expanded academic offerings, all aimed at fostering equitable student success and responsive workforce education.

This document, 'Skills Gap Analysis & Sector Strategies at a Glance,' provides a concise overview of workforce supply and demand in Pierce County's top six employment sectors for the period leading up to 2023. Commissioned by WorkForce Central, it synthesizes findings and recommendations from detailed studies to address critical challenges such as soft skills deficits, specific occupational shortages, and the need for enhanced talent pipelines. The strategic focus areas include Health Care, Construction, Military & Defense, Transportation, Warehousing & Logistics, ICT & Cybersecurity, and Advanced Manufacturing. The plan aims to strengthen the local workforce, support employers, and foster economic growth through initiatives like K-12 career path promotion, soft skills education, and stronger employer-workforce organization partnerships.

The meeting's agenda was abbreviated due to a scheduling conflict, which was caused by previous school snow closures. Key discussions included the approval of SIM program MCOs (Management of Course Outcomes), allowing the program to proceed to the Curriculum Committee for review. The committee established a new checks and balances system for reviewing MCOs, deciding that two members would review each set of outcomes and then coordinate revisions through the AC chair. Assignments were made for reviewing the Information Technology Specialists MCOs and the Computer Networking Systems Technician MCOs. Other business involved planning for faculty support with spring assessment surveys, suggesting open labs instead of utilizing Professional Development Day, and checking on the location of the most current version of the committee's bylaws.

The meeting focused on several key areas. Discussion points included the results of the Effective Communication Student Learning Outcome Survey, noting that 85% of students met or exceeded expectations, and identifying updated equipment, computers, and software as the primary resources needed for improvement. The committee discussed plans for additional surveys and engaging Deans for top-down direction. Insights from the NCORE conference concerning the implementation of co-curricular and diversity initiatives were shared. Further considerations involved examining student retention rates by demographics and aligning diversity processes across various committees. The committee expressed intent to mandate the effective communication survey and integrate human diversity outcomes. Planning for an SLO improvement training retreat in August was discussed, as well as finalizing the selection of the next Chair-Elect.

The meeting focused primarily on curriculum review and assessment alignment, particularly concerning the new "Industrial Manufacturing Technician" apprenticeship courses offered at Bates Technical College. Discussions centered on revising Program and Course level Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) to ensure integration of Human Diversity across relevant course outcomes, specifically addressing Math 201. Action was taken to review and rewrite outdated Master Course Outlines (MCOs) for MET 115 and MET 225. Furthermore, there was a review of the preliminary results from a faculty survey sent in December 2017 regarding assessment, and planning for a website redesign to better communicate the committee's function and processes. The committee also initiated a request to establish a Canvas shell account for facilitating committee work.