Public higher education is essential to training our future workforce
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To build American capacity for innovation and growth and to remain competitive in a global economy, the current state of our national infrastructure is appropriately an important bipartisan focus. Yet, during this Labor Day weekend, we would be well served to broaden our view of national infrastructure to include the American workforce.
The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce predicts that by 2031, at least 70% of working-age people in the U.S. will need a degree or other postsecondary credential to meet labor market needs. Yet, as of now, only 54.3% of Americans have such qualifications. This gap underscores the urgent need for a more educated or differently trained workforce, as the jobs of the future increasingly require higher levels of education and specialized skills. America’s public higher education system has long been a cornerstone of our country’s workforce development strategy. With investments in sectors that fuel innovation and bolster economic competitiveness and national security, it plays a pivotal role in advancing American prosperity and global influence.
Originally published: September 2, 2024
Author: Marie Lynn Miranda
Position: Chancellor
Institution: University of Illinois Chicago
Published by: The Chicago Tribune