Sinclair ranked No. 1 in the nation as a vocational training institution

Sinclair Community College was recently ranked No.1 in the nation to provide vocational training programs. A research study, conducted by Real Work Matters, assessed over 711 colleges nationwide.

"Over the years, Sinclair has seen an increasing number of students entering the workforce and filling in-demand jobs because of our strong focus on work-based training programs," Dr. Steve Johnson, Sinclair president, said in a prepared statement released Tuesday.

Throughout the assessment of institutions with vocational training programs, recent data was collected from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

Each institution was assessed for the following: cost of attendance, number of associate degree and undergraduate certificate programs offered, percent of undergraduate students enrolled in any distance education class, full-time student retention rate and part-time retention rate, graduation rate, percent of students working and not enrolled six years after entry, flexibility and student services, and average annual earnings for students working ten years after entry.

Real Work Matters is a database for individuals interested in vocational training. The site offers information on institutions as well as guidance on how to earn the training and certifications needed for desired careers.

"We've invested in apprenticeship and internship programs because our students have made it clear that they want to spend less time in school and more time gaining actual work experience,” said Johnson. “This is a national effort and it's exciting that Sinclair is a leading example for other colleges across the nation."

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