Agenda 04-23-2019 Attachment A - Durham Technical Community College - Orange County Campus FY19-20 Operating Budget Request and CIp

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Hanover Research | December 2017 © 2017 Hanover Research 15 Tech. Brantley (OC Development) pointed out that new businesses might be more interested in opening in Orange County if Durham Tech could provide traini ng for employees on-site or nearby. Similarly, Bassett (Chapel Hill) told Hanover that partnerships with Durham Tech could be attractive to prospective employers considering Chapel Hill locations. The anonymous participant suggested reaching out through the Chambe r of Commerce and informing local businesses that Durham Tech is ready to help create specialized training programs. PERCEPTION OF DURHAM TECH Overall, local employer perceptions of Durham Tech are very positive. Employers see Durham Tech as “a great community partner,” “a major asset” and “community-builder,” and “an important educational option for students in Orange County.” Interview participants noted that Durham Tech programs are high-quality and that Durham Tech has “done a really good job of incorporating Orange County interests.” All participants expressed the desire to strengthen existing partnerships and build new ones with Durham Tech. Impressions of the Orange County campus were positive, but with general agreement that the campus is “underutilized.” Participants told Hanover the campus is a “premier,” “newer and more beautiful” facility, a “very favorable, upscale place to learn.” However, other participants see it simply as “a satellite campus” and suggested that there is not “broad knowledge that it’s there” among county employers. Carrillo (Frontier)had no complaints about the campus itself but hoped that Durham Tech would “get more programs” at the Orange County location. Meanwhile, there is a contrast between perceptions of Durham Tech’s commitment to the community and the local economy (very positive), and Durham Tech’s record of delivering what Orange County needs (mixed). For example, Bassett views Durham Tech as “seeming to struggle” with identifying the primary areas of need in Orange County. Strickler (UNC Health Care) suggested that although Durham Tech is eager to he lp, it sometimes struggles with “follow-through” on specifics. Employers view Durham Tech as an important asset and a good py p g community partner. They hope that Durham Tech will expand its yp y p p offerings in Orange County, and focus on additional outreach to local ggy, employers. For example, many small or new businesses may be employers. For example, many small or new businesses may be unaware of existing programs, or unaware that Durham Tech seeks gp g , new employer partnerships in Orange County. Employers think that Durham Tech offers high-quality programs, but py g qypg , that itshould expand marketing to students in Orange County. that it should expand marketing to students in Orange County. Durham Tech could leverage positive perceptions of its Orange ua eccoud eeagepost epecep County campus to attract new students.