Workers across the nation have new reason to celebrate the recovering economy. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce working together with Georgetown Public Policy Institute have projected that there will by 55 million job openings emerging over the course of this decade. Of these, 24 million will result from new job creation and 31 million positions will need to be filled to replace retiring baby boomers.
Educational Predictions for New Job Openings
The study found that 80% of jobs will require more education than a high school diploma, with the highest demand for postsecondary education in the fields of healthcare, IT, and government. Approximately 5 million jobs will require a postsecondary certificate, such as technical school training certification. However, under the current education system, the supply of postsecondary-educated workers will fall 5 million short by 2020. Many colleges across the country already expect drops in enrollment, largely due to the burden of high tuition rates for undergraduate and graduate education. On the other hand, just last year trade schools reported a boom in student enrollment as more students sought career training to prepare for specific jobs.
In-Demand Career Skills
The Georgetown study also looked into what qualities employers would be looking for in future positions. Employers and hiring managers will pay special attention to leadership, communication, analytics, and administrative qualities in their job candidates. Many of these professional skills are not taught as part of the curriculum in university programs, but they remain a core component of technical colleges, which specifically prepare students for transitioning smoothly into the workplace.
Changes in Job Market Demographics
Earlier projections reported that in 19 states at least 65% (the national average) of new jobs would require some level of postsecondary education by 2018. This new study places that figure at 32 states and the District of Columbia. The same research predicts that the Northeast will require the highest levels of postsecondary education, and the highest concentration of jobs for high school graduates and drop-outs will be in the South.
Career Training for Growing Industries
As the world changes, cued by new technology, shifts in consumer preferences, and developments in international economic relations, the job market is immediately affected. Trade schools follow market changes closely, making adjustments to course material and program offerings to reflect qualities and skills that employers are looking for in potential job candidates.