The report also identifies two key misperceptions that prevent us from closing this "great divide" between the readiness of our workforce and the skills employers are looking for: the need to recognize the value of short-term degrees and credentials, and the need to broaden the national focus from college access to the imperative for college completion. Two-thirds of job openings in the next decade will require at least some postsecondary education, including programs that are two-years or less.
Stephen M. Wing, President of Corporate Voices for Working Families, said: "The focus on college too often excludes the demand for those who hold two-year associate degrees and trade-specific credentials. Despite the conventional wisdom that bachelor's degrees are critical to success, the job market of the future will demand a vast new supply of talented graduates of a diverse range of postsecondary programs, including those that are two years or less. Not recognizing the value of these degrees is hindering our efforts to meet the needs of employers."
Jessica Milano, Senior Policy Advisor to Civic Enterprises and lead researcher for the report, said: "Community colleges and business leaders need to make a quantum leap in aligning associate's degrees and career credentials with the workforce skills employers demand. After all, the ultimate goal of a postsecondary education for students is landing a job in their chosen field and a shot at the American Dream."
Cheryl Oldham, Vice President of the U.S. Chamber's Institute for a Competitive Workforce, said: "To develop a skilled and qualified workforce that meets 21st century business demands, our nation must rise to the challenge of bridging this great divide. Leaders among all sectors, including business, education, and government, need to work together to provide real solutions and opportunities for Americans to access and complete postsecondary education and training if we are to remain globally competitive for future generations."
Key findings and perspectives in "Across the Great Divide" include:
•The survey shows business leaders experience high levels of frustration in hiring, indicating a gap between the skills of the nation's workforce, as they exist, and the demands of the nation's job market.
More than half (53 percent) of business leaders say their companies face a very or fairly major challenge in recruiting non-managerial employees with the skills, training, and education their company needs, despite unemployment close to 10 percent and millions of Americans seeking jobs at the time of the survey.
Those at smaller companies, who were responsible for over 50 percent of new jobs created in 2007, feel this most acutely: 67 percent say it is difficult while only 33 percent find it easy.
•More than three in four business leaders believe that increasing post-secondary completion will have an extremely or very positive impact on the U.S. economy (79 percent) and workforce productivity (76 percent). They also recognize the potential to affect both the success of their company (75 percent) and their company's ability to hire and retain employees with the necessary skills and knowledge (75 percent).
•The focus on "college" too often excludes the demand for those who hold two-year associate's degrees and trade-specific credentials.
Most business leaders (98 percent) believe the term "college" means a four-year degree. Just 13 percent of business leaders also think of a two-year associate's degree, and only 10 percent say "college" includes a career or technical credential. By the end of this decade, however, about an equal percentage of jobs will require a bachelor's degree or better (33 percent) as some college or a two-year associate's degree (30 percent).
