By Neil Offen

noffen@heraldsun.com; 419-6646

DURHAM -- As Durham Tech gets ready to begin classes on Monday, enrollment is up around 8 percent from last year -- and administrators are not at all surprised.

"Our unemployment rate has doubled in the past 12 months and as a result, more Durham and Orange county residents are turning to our college for skills to help them re-enter the work force or remain competitive in their jobs," said Bill Ingram, president of Durham Tech. "As families' savings accounts and retirement plans have taken a hit in the past year, more are seeing our transfer program [to four-year schools] as a high-quality, low-cost alternative to a traditional residential college."

The rise in enrollment at Durham Tech is part of a statewide and national trend -- one that has been building for some time.

According to the Center for Policy Analysis at the American Council on Education, enrollment growth in America's community colleges outpaced all other major postsecondary institutions over the last two decades. The Washington, D.C.-based Community College Policy Center reports enrollment rates at community colleges going up in some cases by double digits, due to the combination of a flailing economy and an increasing high school graduation rate.

"It's a perfect storm [for community colleges]," said Katherine Boswell of the policy center.

Community colleges also have received much attention since President Obama earlier this summer announced his "American Graduation Initiative," a $12 billion plan to help the two-year schools prepare millions of people for a new generation of jobs.

The fall semester enrollment for credit at Durham Tech -- currently at 5,409, compared to 5,214 last year -- is likely to go higher still.

The current figure doesn't include continuing education classes, where students do not get credit. It also doesn't include enrollment in the JobsNOW program, a new initiative that offers short-term training sessions that can be completed in six months or less. Launched by community colleges across the state, the effort is designed to prepare local residents to meet specific employment needs in their areas.

Also not included are Huskins Bill classes, courses that are taught at area high schools by Durham Tech instructors.

"It is clear that Durham and Orange County residents realize that the pathway back to prosperity runs through our campus," said Wanda Maggart, Durham Tech's senior vice president.