Colorado jobs are changing. As early as next year nearly 75 percent will require some type of advanced degree. Right now, only about 57 percent of adults a certificate, two-year or four-year college degree.
This has prompted the Colorado Department of Higher Education to create a master plan to help residents go to and graduate from a postsecondary institution. The goal is for 66 percent of adults to have a postsecondary degree by 2025.
But is this goal possible?
Colorado ranks near the bottom quarter of states for K thru 12 per-pupil funding. Over the past decade state funding for higher education has decreased by almost 10 percent and students pay over four-thousand dollars more to go to public colleges and universities.
The Department of Higher Education is focused on four goals to help increase the state's postsecondary attainment rate: increase credential completion, erase equity gaps, improve student success and invest in affordability and innovation.
Hire Me: Educating Colorado's Changing Workforce, a special episode of Colorado Edition, explores various programs that are filling the funding and support gaps to help the Department of Higher Education achieve its postsecondary attainment goal.
You can view the entire series, with photos and a documentary video, here.
Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members. Thank you!
Our intro music is "Remember Me" by Colorado musician Kalatana. Other music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions:
- "The Zeppelin"
- "Waterbourne"
- "Lobo Lobo"
This episode was hosted and produced by education reporter Stephanie Daniel and assistant news director Erin O'Toole. Digital editor Jackie Hai handled the web. News director Catherine Welch and managing editor Brian Larson contributed to this episode.
KUNC's Colorado Edition is a weekly look at the top stories from our newsroom. It's available every Friday on our website, as well as on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher or wherever (RSS) you get your podcasts. You can hear it on the air every Sunday at 9 p.m. on KUNC.