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A Better Match Between Higher Education and the Workforce
by Paul Grasso, June 24, 2010
Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce has released a report that is creating controversy among educators. The report outlined an "uneven relationship" between colleges and the job market. The authors argue that by 2018, more jobs will require advanced education, but that "colleges are not doing enough to prepare their students for the projected workforce."
The report, Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirement Through 2018, states that most colleges "need to streamline their programs, so they emphasize employability." In other words, they need to create a dual system where some students would earn an "academic degree" but the majority of students would receive a college education that prepares them to pursue a career. Academic purists believe that a university should "provide the building blocks of advanced learning and show how they connect with one another." They do not believe that it is a college's job to meet the needs of the work force. In their opinion, well-educated students are employable in numerous fields, with the training provided by their employers.
Alternatively, "reformists" see a system designed only for academics. They argue that not everyone is intellectually curious and most care little about Faulkner, Shakespeare, and Dickens. They argue that colleges do a disservice if they foster the belief that everybody can or should be an intellectual superstar. The economy needs technicians, engineers, and accountants, and these workforce-oriented careers need a different type of training.
What both sides probably agree on is that there will be a greater need for the majority of workers to have some post-secondary education in the future. The report revealed 90% of individuals with only a high school diploma or GED are employed in one of three occupational clusters. These occupations are either low wages jobs, or are in industries showing employment decline (food & personal services, sales & office support, and low-skilled blue collar). The reality is that without some post-secondary education or training, millions of Americans are at risk of working in predominantly low-wage jobs that require high school diplomas or less.
Like most issues, the answer probably lies somewhere in the middle.
Closer to home, there is mixed news for the state's economy. According to the New York State Department of Labor, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped from 8.4% in April to 8.3% in May 2010. This was the state's lowest unemployment rate since April 2009. The number of unemployed New Yorkers also dropped, from 817,100 in April to 806,600 in May 2010.
However, while the unemployment rate dropped for the first time since December 2009, the state lost jobs in April. NYSDOL reported that the state's economy also lost 9,500 jobs in May.
"Like the nation as a whole, the state's rate of private sector job growth slowed in May 2010. However, New York's unemployment rate continued to improve, reaching its lowest level in over a year," said Peter A. Neenan, Ph.D., Director of the Division of Research and Statistics.
Locally, the news is good; the unemployment rate in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton counties is lower this month than last. The North Country saw an increase of 2,100 jobs between April and May 2010 which is still 1,000 fewer jobs than in May 2009.
The unemployment figures for the region:
The unemployment figures for the region:
| May 2010 | April 2010 | May 2009 | |
| North Country | 8.4% | 9.6% | 8.5% |
| New York State | 8.3% | 8.4% | 8.4% |
| United States | 9.7% | 9.9% | 9.4% |
| Clinton | 9.4% | 10.0% | 9.3% |
| Essex | 8.4% | 9.8% | 9.4% |
| Franklin | 8.2% | 8.9% | 8.2% |
| Hamilton | 7.4% | 9.7% | 7.0% |
| U-6 | 16.6% | 17.1% | 15.9% |
The following New York State Department of Labor chart and data shows industry job gains and losses over the period May 2009 and May 2010.
Change in Jobs by Sector, May 2009 - May 2010
| Sectors With Job Gains: | |
| Educational & Health Services | +31,500 |
| Government | +6,600 |
| Leisure & Hospitality | +5,500 |
| Other Services | +1,500 |
| Natural Resources and Mining | +100 |
| Sectors With Job Losses: | |
| Construction | -20,800 |
| Manufacturing | -18,600 |
| Trade, Transportation & Utilities | -14,100 |
| Financial Activities | -10,700 |
| Information | -3,300 |
| Professional & Business Services | -400 |
Highlights among NYS sectors with job gains since May 2009
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Educational and health services added the most private sector jobs (+31,500) of any sector over the year. Job gains within this sector were greatest in health care and social assistance (+26,900).
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The government sector had the second largest job increase (+6,600) over the past year. Within government, job gains were largest at the federal level (+33,200). This is due mainly to the hiring of temporary census workers.
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The leisure and hospitality sector had the third largest increase in jobs (+5,500) over the past year. Those job gains were concentrated in accommodation and food services (+8,900).
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The job count also increased over the year in other services and natural resources and mining.
Highlights among NYS sectors with job losses since May 2009
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Over the past year, construction lost the most jobs (-20,800) of any sector in the state. These job losses were concentrated in specialty trade contractors (-18,600).
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Manufacturing had the second largest over-the-year employment decline (-18,600). Sector declines were focused in durable goods (-12,900), especially computers and electronic products (-5,000).
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Trade, transportation, and utilities lost 14,100 jobs between May 2009 and May 2010. Most sector losses were in wholesale trade (-10,700).
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The job count in the financial activities sector slid by 10,700 over the year. These job losses were greatest in the securities and brokerage industry (-11,300).
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The job count also fell over the year in information and professional and business services.
The big question mark for the regional economy remains the employment picture. Everything points to the unemployment rate coming down over the next few months. The region is adding jobs, but at a slower rate than job seekers would like.