High school seniors across the heartland are witnessing a paradigm shift. The mantra of “college for all” that’s been the drumbeat for decades is changing to “not everyone needs a college degree.” Postsecondary opportunities are expanding beyond four-year college—extending to include community college, a career in the skills-based economy and even the direct pursuit of career pathways following graduation from high school. 

Currently, 49% of Americans believe it’s less important to have a four-year college degree to get a well-paying job than it was 20 years ago. This, coupled with the fact that community college enrollment is on the rise, underscores the importance of offering high school juniors and seniors a range of opportunities to pursue after graduation.

Emerging technologies reinforce this trend, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts new technologies, like AI and electric vehicles, will shape infrastructure demands and incentivize significant employment growth in the construction sector in the next eight years—increasing the need for skilled workers. Despite the projected growth of this sector, there is a sizable labor shortage and a severe lack of workforce development opportunities to prepare those who do choose to pursue a career in construction. 

As labor demands begin to change, many heartland organizations are working to most effectively prepare high schoolers to succeed in today’s economy, familiarizing them with a range of post secondary options as they work to determine their best path forward. As Gen Z students are acquainted with the skills based economy, willingness to pursue these career pathways have grown. 

Made in America—Growing the Skills-Based Economy

Heartland states are leveraging this Gen Z enthusiasm to engage in the skills based economy with programs like SkillsUSA and Be Pro Be Proud. These organizations aim to close the skills gap, educate students on post-high school options and provide hands-on training to prepare the next generation of the American workforce. 

These workforce development programs empower students not only to become professionals in the skills-based economy, but to learn and practice leadership and community building, setting them on a sustainable and successful career path. SkillsUSA, with chapters in all 20 heartland states, creates or partners with vocational and technical programs in schools to address skills gaps via mentoring, competitions and connections to heartland headquartered industry professionals at companies like 3M in Saint Paul, MN; Snap-On in Kenosha, WI and Caterpillar in Irving, TX. 

Be Pro Be Proud, originally a creation of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas, now has four chapters in heartland states. Be Pro Be Proud hosts mobile workshops that travel from city to city allowing students to explore skill-based professions, attend life experience classes and connect with industry professionals from skills-based companies. These workshops include high technology immersive simulations, like virtual reality welding or use of heavy machinery, that tactically show the experience of a day in the life of a skilled professional. 

The mobile nature of the program offers students across the heartland experiential learning they may otherwise not receive in a workshop or at a career fair. Opportunities like those offered by Be Pro Be Proud allow students to explore vocational and technical education, workforce development programs and apprenticeships—all geared toward helping students develop pragmatic career readiness skills leading to better job opportunities, while securing a new generation of skilled workers to meet labor demands.

Pathfinders: The Power of Postsecondary Guidance Programs

Postsecondary guidance programs are an emerging trend designed to offer high school seniors enhanced support and guidance as they work to determine their ideal postsecondary pathway.

How is it being done?

With a presence in three heartland states, rootEd Alliance provides one-on-one advising to rural high school students. They acknowledge the changing culture around college enrollment, rising educational costs and career demands, helping students fully evaluate all options for life after graduation. Their advisor-advisee model helps students explore four-year college, two-year college, military service, career training and livable wage employment opportunities. In fact, during this current school year, 62% of students in the Arkansas rootEd program felt their current advisor has offered the most impactful guidance they have received in planning life after high school. 

What’s the impact?

State investment in programs like rootEd allows for students to receive tailored advice that applies to their academic, financial, and family circumstances, positioning them to choose their best path forward, which in turn, drives the engine of heartland economies. 

As the heartland career landscape evolves, programs that emphasize workforce development and postsecondary exploration like rootEd, Be Pro Be Proud and SkillsUSA have become an essential tool for young adults working to find their path to success. Investing in skills development, as it aligns with workforce demands, is a source of strength in the heartland economies and a cultural catalyst for Generation Z.