Detailed Record



Listening to Rural Community Experts: Making a Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment Transformative for Inclusive Postsecondary CTE


Abstract This Delphi study identified postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) needs and differences by race in rural areas. Seventeen rural community experts in education, business, and community leadership participated across three rounds. Round 1 involved interviews to compile perspectives about future careers and training. Round 2 used Likert-scale surveys to rate the perceived likelihood of careers and the value of training; consensus was evaluated. Round 3 conducted member checking. Results showed alignment between community-identified labor needs and workforce data. However, Native American members faced distinct qualifying barriers for training programs. Recommendations are that Comprehensive Local Needs Assessments (CLNAs) intentionally include marginalized groups and consider historical and present-day inequities certain students face to better meet the workforce training needs of the entire community. The Delphi method revealed nuanced perspectives and the need for more culturally responsive practice in rural areas.
Authors Rosemary McBride University of WyomingORCID
Journal Info Association for Career and Technical Education Research | Career and Technical Education Research , vol: 49 , iss: 2 , pages: 66 - 84
Publication Date 8/1/2024
ISSN 1554-754X
TypeKeyword Image article
Open Access closed Closed Access
DOI https://doi.org/10.5328/cter49.2.66
KeywordsKeyword Image Transformative Learning (Score: 0.8570627) , Postsecondary education (Score: 0.61433005)