In 2003, the Federal Government invested $16 billion in higher education, much of it in financial aid to which most American workers have no access. Only $3 million was invested in job training and $1.9 billion in vocational education, programs intended to promote workforce development. (Source: The Jobs Revolution, Changing how America Works, by Steve Gunderson, Roberts Jones and Kathryn Scanland, 2004)

In 2010 the skilled worker gap will reach 5.3 million. By 2020 it will rise to 14 million. By 2030, 41 million new workers will enter the workforce, while a staggering 76 million will enter retirement. (Source: The Jobs Revolution, Changing how America Works, by Steve Gunderson, Roberts Jones and Kathryn Scanland, 2004)

90% of manufacturers responding to a poll regarding their current workforce indicated a moderate to severe shortage of qualified skilled production workers; 65 percent of respondents, and 74% of respondents with more that 500 employees, reported a moderate to severe shortage of scientists and engineers. (Source: 2005 Skills Gap Report: A Survey of the American Manufacturing Workforce by the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute.)

The most important factor to a manufacturing company’s future business success over the next 3 years (given changes in the economy and the business environment) was the need for high performance workers. (Source: 2005 Skills Gap Report: A Survey of the American Manufacturing Workforce by the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute.)

Skilled production employees (80 percent) are expected to be in short supply over the next three years according to manufacturers polled. (Source: 2005 Skills Gap Report: A Survey of the American Manufacturing Workforce by the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute.)

School Dropout Statistics
Thirty percent of America’s high school students will leave high school without graduating. (Source: April 10, 2006 Time Magazine Special Report “Dropout Nation” – findings as reported in The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives on High School Dropouts: Transforming High Schools
Major findings, as reported in The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives on High School Dropouts:

Why do students drop out?

• 47 percent of dropouts said classes weren't interesting

• 43 percent had missed too many days of school and couldn't catch up

• 38 percent said they had too much freedom and not enough rules in life

• 35 percent said they quit because they were failing in school

• 32 percent said they had to get a job and make money

What are dropouts' experiences in high school?

• 88 percent had passing grades, and 70 percent said they could have graduated if they had tried

• 69 percent were not motivated to work hard; 66 percent would have worked harder if more had been demanded of them

How do dropouts feel about their decision?

• 81 percent said they now believe graduating from high school is important to success in life

• 74 percent said if they were able to relive the experience, they would have stayed in school

• 47 percent agreed it was hard to find a good job without a diploma

What might have kept dropouts in school?

• 81 percent called for more "real-world" learning opportunities

• 75 percent wanted smaller classes with more individual instruction

• 71 percent favored better communication between parents and schools and more involvement from parents

Eighty-eight percent of adults polled agree that a student should have the option of taking vocational education in high school to prepare for work rather than pursing a college track. (Source: March 2006 Time Magazine/Oprah Winfrey Show poll.)

For more information about SkillsUSA:
Thomas W. Holdsworth, Director
Communications/Government Relations
Phone: (703) 737-0607 • FAX: (703) 777-8999

Jane A. DeShong Short, Program Specialist
Communications/Government Relations
Phone: (703) 737-0612 • FAX: (703) 777-8999