Arizona’s postsecondary attainment isn’t filling our state’s job openings

PHOENIX — Arizona’s postsecondary attainment has grown in recent years but is still not high enough to fill the state’s 80,000 jobs that require at least an associate’s degree each year.

According to data from the Center for the Future of Arizona, the state has 444,000 annual job openings. Of those, 81,723 positions require an associate’s degree or higher to be considered for the job. Arizona colleges are only filling 19,244 of those 80,000 spots.

Peter Boyle, senior director of education with the Center for the Future of Arizona, said that means some 60,000 spots are being filled with workers from outside Arizona.

“To truly ensure that we are meeting the needs of our high-tech, of our advanced manufacturing, of our health care jobs, we are going to need to either increase the number of Arizonans who are graduating each year with a diploma, a degree or a credential of labor market value, or, as we have done in the past, continue to import talent,” he said.

How can Arizona improve postsecondary attainment?

Boyle said one way to increase the number of students completing some form of postsecondary education is by focusing on two-year degrees and certificates.

He added that Yavapai Community College is a good example of this, with a higher percentage of high school students enrolling in postsecondary schooling than other areas of Arizona.

“We think those are really replicable programs, including some of the bachelor’s degree programs that are now being offered at community college systems. And so that’s an opportunity through innovation to close some of these gaps that we see in our workforce needs,” Boyle said.

According to the Arizona Progress Meter, 49% of the state is reaching postsecondary attainment, with a goal of 60% by 2030.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

Related

U.S. Department of Education to make moves that will impact Arizona's school systemSen. Mark Kelly proposes 2 bills to support young men and grow public serviceLawsuit challenges validity of thousands of ESA reform ballot measure signaturesKimberly Yee outlines education priorities after GOP primary winMaking shopping for back-to-school supplies easier for Phoenix-area parentsKimberly Yee wins GOP primary for Arizona schools chief over Tom Horne