What States Should Know About Education and Work — But Don’t
Summary
State leaders, employers, educators, individuals, and families often are flying blind when it comes to understanding jobs, wages, and workforce needs. Despite investing billions of dollars annually on education and training, most states can’t answer fundamental questions about which education and training programs lead to good jobs, the wages graduates are paid, and how well programs meet employer needs. A few enhancements to the workforce data states are currently collecting from employers would enable policymakers, individuals, educators, employers, and others to effectively answer these and other important questions. This brief discusses the foundational steps states should consider taking and why.
Most States Can’t Answer These Basic Questions:
- What kind of jobs are people who complete education programs employed in?
- Where are completers working in the state?
- What is a typical completer’s hourly wage or salary, and does it enable them to be self-sufficient?
- To what extent are employers offering internships and apprenticeships?
- Which first jobs post-completion lead to career advancement, and which are dead ends?
Three Big Takeaways:
Enhanced wage records are not a silver bullet — but they are essential for understanding the extent to which education programs are delivering positive employment outcomes. Without this information, education stakeholders will continue to make critical decisions in the dark.
Many states have already begun to make these enhancements to their data systems. Some states have a handful of comprehensive solutions that will enable them to track workforce outcomes with real precision.
States that invest in these capabilities will gain a competitive edge. They will have the opportunity to better align education programs with employer demand, attract businesses with a strong talent pipeline, and track economic mobility in ways other states cannot.
