A college degree may not matter as much for West Virginians, according to a study conducted by Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce. West Virginia ranked lowest on the national scale of jobs that requires postsecondary education.
According to the study, 49 percent of jobs in West Virginia will require a bachelor's degree, which is 14 percent below the national average of 63 percent.
West Virginia ranked first in jobs available for high school graduates.
The study analyzed all levels of education in relation to jobs, ranging from high school dropouts to graduate degree owners. It predicts the types of jobs expected to be available in the year 2018.
The study projected approximately 806,000 jobs to be available. Of these, 109,000 would require a bachelor's degree while 328,000 would only require a high school diploma or GED.
The study projected a "large" job increase, but substantial gains in employment will not occur until 2011, according to a press release. By 2015, America will have compensated for the extreme job loss and by 2018, we will need more college-educated workers than will be available.
"It's not exactly the people who fill the jobs, but more the state of West Virginia's economy," said Laura Meyer, the program coordinator for Georgetown's CEW.
The Center's director, Anthony P. Carnevale, stated his worries about the current job situation in a press release.
"America needs more workers with college degrees, certificates and industry
certifications. If we don't
address this need now, millions of jobs could go offshore."
George Hammond, associate director of the Bureau of Business and Economics Research at WVU, believes the projections from this study are not a complete certainty.
"There are still a large number of jobs in West Virginia that require and make use of the higher education students are receiving at colleges and universities," he said.
Hammond said if students stay in-state, the required education level of jobs and the availability of certain professions would increase, which would raise standards and create a more-educated state.
"This is a long-term process. One thing to keep in mind is that this study is just one scenario of many," Hammond said. "If students wish to fix this problem, their priority should be to stay in state."
For more information about the Georgetown CEW and how these reports are formulated, visit http://cew.georgetown.edu/.
Be the first to comment on this article!