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By Dennis Bona, President
Kellogg Community College

Although slow, the economy nationally and locally is beginning to show signs of growth in employment. This growth is in job opportunities that require some level of post-secondary education.

Where the jobs are

A report recently released by the Michigan League for Human Services predicts 15 percent more jobs will require an associate’s degree by 2018 and that 10 percent more jobs will require some sort of post-secondary training, such as a certificate.

According to information released from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) on Sept. 2, 2011, health care employment rose by 30,000 jobs just in the month of August. And, in the past 12 months, health care employment has grown by 306,000, including 18,000 jobs in ambulatory health care services and 8,000 jobs at hospitals. The majority of these jobs require post-secondary education. For example, approximately 60 percent of health care workers are trained at community colleges, and over 90 percent of community college students stay in the state in which they attended college. The majority of health care workers attended community college programs including Kellogg Community College’s nursing, radiography, medical laboratory technology, and emergency medical services programs.

In addition, according to the BLS statistics, employment in computer systems design and related services is increasing. For the month of August, there were 8,000 new jobs in these fields. Many of the computer systems and related workers are trained through degree and certification courses at community colleges. And, as computers and systems continue to evolve, community colleges are critical assets to people working in the industry for additional training and new certifications.

The financial benefits of post-secondary education

The difference in average income levels and employment based on educational attainment locally is startling. For example, compared to their counterparts with high school diplomas, KCC associate degree graduates will see average increased earnings of $806 monthly, $9,762 annually, or approximately $357,000 over the course of their working lifetime, according to “The Economic Contribution of Kellogg Community College” published by Economic Modeling Specialists in 2010.

Nationally, numerous studies have shown increased education levels lead to higher earnings and lower rates of unemployment. The 2009 Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey shows that nationally, the unemployment rate for those with less than a high school diploma is 14.9 percent. For those with an associate’s degree, the unemployment rate drops to 6.8 percent. For those with a bachelor’s degree, the rate is 5.2 percent.

In the same survey, those with less than a high school diploma had average weekly earnings of $454. For those with an associate’s degree, weekly earnings increased to $761. And, for a bachelor’s degree, average weekly earnings were $1,025.

The role of community colleges

Especially in difficult economic times, people need a viable option for education, and community colleges are that option. For many people locally, Kellogg Community College is their vehicle to access higher education.

With an increasing number of workers trying to maintain jobs while earning their degrees, the location of post-secondary institutions is becoming increasingly important. It’s very difficult for workers to finish an eight-plus-hour day and then have to drive a considerable distance to attend school. In addition, some traditional-age students prefer to stay close to home while attending college so they can be near their friends and family. Calhoun County is fortunate to have several options for higher education, including Kellogg Community College, Miller College, Siena Heights University, Western Michigan University and Davenport University within the area.

Another way community colleges play a role in higher education attainment is through affordability. Attending Kellogg Community College costs approximately $2,800 per year. This is significantly less than the $9,000-per-year cost to attend a four-year public university and the $25,000-per-year cost to attend a private four-year university. In fact, by attending Kellogg Community College for two years before transferring to a private college for the final two years, a student will save, on average, over $45,000. If the student attends KCC then goes on to a public four-year college, the student will still save approximately $18,000 when all cost factors are considered.

Finally, the local Workforce Development Board continues to channel both federal and state dollars through Michigan Works! and the Calhoun Intermediate School District for the purpose of training and retraining of workers who have lost their jobs. Many of these workers take advantage of the programming at Kellogg Community College because of its broad array of programs, the various delivery options and the individual attention and support they receive. Even in this economy, the job placement of students who complete a certificate or degree at KCC is still nearly 90 percent.

Overall, we can’t continue to grow our economy without adding jobs, and it’s impossible to add jobs without increasing the education levels of our workforce. All of us in education in Calhoun County are working diligently together, along with other community leaders, to ensure we are preparing local people for their future careers.

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