The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce plans to have discussions with Johnson County Community College to create a technical and vocational training program in Lawrence.

Lavern Squier, president and chief executive of the chamber, told city and county commissioners Tuesday that Kansas University leaders have recently said that they would not object to Johnson County Community College opening a targeted training program in the city.

“We believe the political cards are starting to line up,” Squier said.

Squier emphasized no deal had been reached with Johnson County Community College, the state’s largest community college. But he said he thought JCCC had a significant interest in exploring the program.

He also said ideas on what types of specific training should be offered also haven’t been developed. He said the concept is to have a program that would be custom-built to fit the needs of existing employers in the area. He also said it would need to be flexible so that it could change as needs change.

“The need today may be for maintenance technicians but the need tomorrow may be for welders or something else,” Squier said.

Squier said chamber leaders mainly have been focused on having discussions with KU to determine whether the university wanted to provide the technical and vocational training. Squier said he’s recently received word from the provost’s office that the chamber should explore a partnership with JCCC.

City and county commissioners – who were participating in a study session about economic development issues – applauded the news.

“That is a real sign of collaboration between KU and Johnson County, and that is very noteworthy,” Douglas County Commissioner Bob Johnson said.

City Commissioner David Schauner said he also would like the chamber to explore possibilities with other vocational education providers, such as Topeka-based Kaw Valley Technical School, to supplement or enhance what JCCC might be able to provide.

Schauner also said he wants the chamber to think about whether Lawrence can play a role in what seems to be a statewide trend of placing more emphasis on technical or vocational training opportunities.

“This might be a really good opportunity for us as a city to create some synergy and make Lawrence a place for some statewide training,” Schauner said.

Squier said the next step in the process would be to have more detailed discussions with JCCC leaders. He said it was possible a training program could be in place sometime in 2008, depending on what type of programs are offered and what type of facility a program would need.