Summary of Client’s Challenge

In 2015, the University of Montana embarked on strategic revisioning project that included realigning its and mission. They sought efficiencies through consolidation across programs. They also wanted to align research efforts with state and regional partners. Together, these would provide a relevant experiential education that would lead to better opportunities for graduates and economic development for the region.

Additional Background On The Revisioning Effort

Consistent with the University’s strategy, the director of the Sustainable Construction area of Missoula College’s Industrial Trades Department had observed a large regional need for skilled construction workers in all of Montana, Idaho, and even portions of Washington state. He foresaw the need to align student outcomes of its 2-year degree, certificate, and non-degree programs with the present and emerging workforce needs of local businesses.

Change by Design was hired to help facilitate the revisioning process and deliver successful realignment. The first step was conducting extensive interviews with faculty members of the Industrial Trades department, industry representatives and even students. Change by Design team members also conducted research on the future needs and trends in this broadly defined area of the country.

From Research To Analysis

The next step was analysis of what was working and what was not working with the current academic programs. Change by Design also identified opportunities for collaboration across the industrial trades department to improve efficiency of delivery and identify expansion areas, most specifically in the Sustainable Construction industry.

Once this information was acquired, Change by Design met with industry representatives. We illustrated the future of Missoula and vicinity in terms of demographic pattern changes and the types of industries that were projected to move to the area over the next 10 years.

Following the meeting, we extrapolated the future need for workers and trends in the industrial trades, focused most specifically on sustainable construction. We hosted another meeting with dozens more industry representatives to share the results we had accrued, with a consensus-building priority around next steps.

Audit For Comparison

After the industry representative meetings, Change by Design conducted an audit of the top five post-secondary schools in the country that delivered industrial trades training. One key, specific focus was sustainable construction. These academic organizations included:

  • Colorado Home Building Academy (CHBA)

  • SouthEast Area Technical Skills Center

  • Pennsylvania College of Technology

  • ·North Idaho College

  • North Central Kansas Technical College

Our Final Report To Missoula College

After the audit was complete, Change by Design delivered an extensive 103-page report that communicated numerous recommendations. These included:

  • public-private partnership activities,

  • possible curriculum pathways,

  • ways to improve the website to better entice potential students,

  • how to structure apprenticeships and internships,

  • new fundraising avenues,

  • new methods for connecting with alumni,

  • a strategy for community engagement,

  • new approach to workforce upskilling, and

  • development of stackable credentials.

Contact Change by Design today if you are engaging in a re-visioning and organizational realignment to improve business results, customer satisfaction, or other strategic goals.