Education

Many large organizations have this same challenge. And yet, there is a degree gap - “a discrepancy between the demand for a college degree in job postings and the employees who are currently in that job who have a college degree.” In an analysis of more than 26 million job postings, the degree gap was found to be significant, according to a study by Accenture, Harvard Business School, and Grads of Life. The study attributes degree inflation to two key factors: the fast-changing nature of many middle-skills jobs and employers’ misperceptions of the economics of investing in quality talent at the non-graduate level.

How do we address America’s skill gap? Employers, economic and workforce developers, and educators are all asking this challenging question. Everything from health issues to incarceration rates to poverty is impacted by individuals’ educational attainment levels. In fact, there may be no better ‘return on investment’ than that which is made in adult education, particularly when it comes to addressing America’s competitive skills crisis.

In 2007, Wheeling, Illinois faced a labor shortage and an aging workforce. With purposeful communication with local employers, District 214 recognized that the local talent pool did not have the necessary skills and training needed to fill jobs in the community. District 214 launched the Career Pathways Program in their high schools with the help of universities, businesses, and other community leaders.