Commitment vs. Complacency

The two words are frequently used to describe those at opposite ends of any particular disagreement where both want something entirely different from the other. While there is nothing new about that, there are some cases where that difference gets a bit clouded with much more gray area than the combined black and white of the issue.

In my new position I get to see this much more clearly in an arena that I am surprised to see such a wide divide. My current employer is a higher education institution that must advertise it’s commitment to the local community in the starkest form possible for education. Simply put, it’s money. Their claim is that they put over $150,000,000 each year into the local economy. Doubting that number, I did a bit of research and found, strangely enough, the actual figure was quite a bit higher and while it’s not quite at the $200M mark, it’s pretty darn close.

Apparently the local government doesn’t quite grasp what the impact would be if this place suddenly up and closed it’s doors, went out of business, simply disappeared … but of course, it’s pretty well known that won’t happen, which is probably one of the main reasons for the lackluster reception. So what is the value of education to ANY particular community? Admittedly, we see more college graduates than there are high end jobs for them to fill some years, but in other times we hear about the severe shortage of engineers, doctors, and other professionals. And, even if we are discussing “trade” schools, there is still this perception that they will make it, “no matter what” because we need plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics and so many more.

Sometime’s it’s hard to put a price or a value on education, but there are a few good examples around. Just look at any city that gains a large production plant. Chattanooga, TN just received the word that Volkswagen is going to build a large production plant there. Keep an eye on the number of new trade schools that pop up and the adjustment of local schools to produce qualified “future” employee’s with solid math and industrial skills. Revisit the area in five years and watch how the standard of living is rising, in parallel with the knowledge and skills of the work force. It’s not easy to see, but if you look closely, it’s there. If you need further proof, look at a city like Pittsburg or Detroit, that are struggling with a depleting job market and what is happening to their scores of workers. Those that struggle to retrain themselves often more on, but to better jobs and that golden work “opportunity” while others stay behind, taking what they can find and wishing for the old days.

It goes to reason that a good education center in any city can go a long way in extending the fortunes of it’s population, but if the city doesn’t return some of that benefit and help support the growth and development of the educational environment, it runs the risk of looking an important jewel in it’s crown and slipping into a form of despair that encourages under-education and a stagnate work force that won’t attract new industry or opportunity, slowly dragging down the entire economy to the point of collapse.

Yes, education is one of those things that we rarely appreciate until it’s gone or out of our reach. In these seemingly desperate times it’s important to keep see the vision of the future starting with a well educated and trained work force. Like the mighty oak, it starts with a simple seed, planted, nurtured and given opportunity to grow. With out the basic’s, it becomes just more scrub brush ready to feed the next fire that could destroy everything in it’s path.

Commitment helps build the future; Complacency guarantee’s it’s failure. Which do you support and how are you doing your part?