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Feds’ focus on four-year college degrees neglects need for skilled labor: industry leader

The American workforce is facing a “significant” skills gap as the federal government focuses more on funding four-year degree programs, according to a report by the Progressive Policy Institute.

The report, “Building a Stronger Workforce: Federal Spending on Postsecondary Education and Training,” warns of a worsening skilled laborer shortage and advocates for more workforce development funding.

According to PPI, there are only about 68 workers for every 100 available job openings. This problem is especially prevalent in the construction industry.

The report cited recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showing there are 407,000 job openings in that field, and 88 percent of construction firms are struggling to find workers.

Despite the need, the federal government allocates only about 20 percent of annual postsecondary education funds on workforce development, the report states.

Brian Turmail of the Associated General Contractors of America told The College Fix in a recent email why he thinks a larger portion of federal funding goes toward traditional college education.

“Since the early 1980s, U.S. federal education policy has largely focused on supporting 4-year college education,” Turmail wrote.

He is the vice president of public affairs and strategic initiatives at AGC, one of the groups involved in the report.

However, “many are working in career paths that don’t actually require that degree,” he told The Fix. “Yet they are dealing with the burden of high levels of college debt. Meanwhile, workforce development for careers paths like construction have languished – leaving many construction employers scrambling to find enough workers.”

Similarly, the PPI report noted the government has historically supported four-year degrees as the avenue for transitioning people into the workforce. However, college may not best prepare adults for in-demand construction jobs.

“While traditional higher education may not be the ideal option in preparing workers for in-demand jobs, overall educational attainment and worker skills need to be improved,” according to the report.

MORE: Clemson construction science program has 100% job placement rate

The report gave several reasons for worker shortages including economic expansion, worker retirements, and necessary skill sets changing due to advancements in technology.

Although there is a high demand for trade jobs, only 20 percent of the $139.5 annual postsecondary training budget goes to train these workers, according to the report.

Both employers and employees agree there needs to be a greater emphasis on skills development, the report stated.

“In a recent survey, 81% of employers said they are looking at skills rather than degrees as they struggle to fill open positions. Instead, employers want proof of technical skill sets or a relevant credential to ensure an individual can succeed immediately on the job,” it stated.

As the demand swells for construction workers, so does the demand for increased public investment in apprenticeships and other hybrid training programs that combine work and education.

Bryan Caplan, an economist at George Mason University, told The Fix in a recent email he does not think new forms of post-secondary workforce training will overtake traditional forms of education, such as college.

However, “immense workforce training happens all the time below radar,” he said.

Caplan said there are “endless ways” for employers to incentivize college students to enter into skilled labor.

“When employers complain about ‘shortages,’ the obvious question is: ‘Why don’t you just offer a better deal,’” Caplan said.

But Turmail offered a different perspective. When asked if there are ways for employers to incentivize college students to enter their industry, he told The Fix, “Our survey data tells us that construction firms are already doing all of the above.

“The real challenge for the industry is showing … students the many varied career paths available in construction,” Turmail said. “Yes the industry needs craft workers, but it also needs marketing and accounting experts, programmers, drone operators, robotics experts, safety professionals and many other positions that should be appealing to college students.”

MORE: Alabama college offers $75,000 in trade scholarships to women only

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