For many young people looking to improve their lives, college may seem just out of reach. It’s not that they don’t want to go to college, but many can’t afford the high costs associated with higher education.
Despite the rising costs of higher education, many employers are searching for employees with advanced skills. In St. Louis Community College’s latest State of the St. Louis Workforce report, just over one-third of employers said they were experiencing a shortage of skilled applicants. For nearly half of all employers, this shortage was highest for middle-skill jobs – those requiring more than a high school diploma, but less than a four-year degree.