2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Technical Training Programs and Workforce Readiness at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A Systematic Literature Review

Presented at Minorities in Engineering Division(MIND) Technical Session 10

Technical training programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play a crucial role in equipping students for careers in high-demand technical fields. The demand for HBCU graduates rose by an average of 5.9% between 2016 and 2019, while non-HBCU graduates saw a 1.3% average increase. Graduates face barriers transitioning into the workforce when practical competencies and industry connections are limited.
This systematic literature review examines empirical and theoretical research published between 2000 and 2025 to evaluate how technical training initiatives at HBCUs contribute to workforce readiness. Guided by Human Capital Theory and Social Empowerment Theory, the review synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed articles, institutional reports, and conference proceedings using the PRISMA methodology. Thirty-one studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed thematically across program design, skill outcomes, and institutional context.
The results indicate that technical programs improve student confidence, exposure to industry tools, and employment pathways when they integrate hands-on learning, mentoring, and applied experiences. However, capacity constraints, including aging infrastructure, limited faculty bandwidth, and financial barriers, restrict the scalability and impact of these initiatives. Findings suggest that the most effective programs combine technical skill development with culturally sustaining support structures unique to HBCUs.
The review concludes that sustained investment in facilities, faculty development, and structured industry partnerships is essential to aligning HBCU technical training with evolving labor market needs. This work contributes evidence to inform policymakers, academic leaders, and industry collaborators committed to strengthening workforce pipelines through HBCUs

Authors

Glory Oluwanifemi Adeogun Morgan State University [biography]

Glory Adeogun is a Research Assistant with the Sustainability and Resilient Infrastructure Engineering program at Morgan State University. She supports applied research initiatives through literature review, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and preparation of technical documentation. Her academic interests include sustainability, data-driven decision-making, and development-oriented finance.
Julius Ogaga Etuke http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2710-2803 Morgan State University [biography]

Julius Ogaga Etuke is a seasoned civil engineer and Ph.D. Candidate in Civil Engineering at Morgan State University, where his research focuses on sustainable and resilient infrastructure engineering. With over 15 years of consulting and project leadership experience, primarily in Nigeria's infrastructure landscape, he brings a robust, practical perspective to academic inquiry. His doctoral research is at the cutting edge of transportation resilience, integrating virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), climate adaptation modeling, and data-driven solutions to improve disaster preparedness and risk mitigation in complex transportation systems. As a COREN-registered engineer and member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, his work emphasizes impactful research and consultancy that bridges structural design principles with urgent sustainability and resilience challenges.
Dr. Olushola V. Emiola-Owolabi http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-8521-5769 Morgan State University [biography]

Olushola Emiola-Owolabi is an engineering pedagogy specialist, researching active learning in engineering classrooms and specializing in qualitative methods research on teaching and learning – particularly in remote synchronous learning environments.
Dr. Oludare Adegbola Owolabi P.E. Morgan State University [biography]

Dr. Oludare Owolabi, a professional engineer in Maryland, joined the Morgan State University faculty in 2010. He is the director of the Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Smart Innovation and Resilient Engineering Research Lab, Department of Civil Engineering at Morgan State University
Dr. Uttam Gaulee http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3010-2812
Wisdom Etabiese UKUEJE Morgan State University

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

« View session