Nebraska struggles to get students back into college
The COVID-19 public health emergency forced many Nebraska students to put their college careers on hold.
By News Channel Nebraska
NEBRASKA -- The COVID-19 public health emergency forced many Nebraska students to put their college careers on hold.
New data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows that more than 300,000 Nebraskans have completed some college but don't have credentials.
Officials with Nebraska's coordinating commission for postsecondary education say with the state's unemployment rate currently at less than two percent, these students are prime candidates to take on critical unfilled jobs.
"With the state trying to up its game in a lot of technical areas, and agricultural areas that require additional training, it's an important pool of adults for us to go out and meet those work force needs of the state," Mike Baumgartner, Executive Director for Nebraska's Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, said.
Economists project that at least 70 percent of jobs that pay a living wage in Nebraska will require some form of postsecondary degree or credential.
In the last session, state lawmakers set a 70 percent attainment goal for Nebraskans ages 25 to 34.
Baumgartner says helping students re-enroll in school and cross the finish line will strengthen Nebraska's agriculture, construction, education, health care, and other sectors.