Create Education and Training Opportunities
As measured by the percentage of working age adults with a postsecondary degree or industry certification living in Oakland County.
Why Is This Important?
Oakland County’s educated workforce is an advantage for our residents and businesses. Most jobs today require a postsecondary degree or industry recognized credential resulting in higher wages and economic growth. With a strong workforce system, institutions of higher education, and apprenticeship programs, Oakland County seeks to build on this advantage and set a high goal – 80% of residents with postsecondary degree or credential by 2030.
Metric Definition
Postsecondary education attainment includes degrees (Associate’s, Master’s, Graduate, and Professional) as well as certifications.
Data source: Postsecondary degree data for working age residents (ages 25-64) is from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 1-year PUMS. Postsecondary certification data is based on an estimate from the Lumina Foundation. Data for 2020 is not displayed due to pandemic-related data collection disruptions.
Analysis
In 2022, 68.4% of Oakland County's adult population had a postsecondary degree or industry certification, a slight decrease from 69% in 2021.
Current Status
As part of Oakland80, Oakland County has allocated $2.874M to fund Career and Education Navigators throughout Oakland County. Navigators are helping individuals assess their skills, interests, and abilities and the potential education pathways to gain access to high-quality, in-demand jobs in the region. Navigators have made over 28,000 connections, attended over 500 community events and have provide in-depth one-on-one counseling to over 800 residents. Oakland County has also created several other programs to support eligible residents pursue a post-secondary degree or certificate, including: Childcare Scholarships to help residents who are enrolled and are struggling to pay for childcare; Supportive Services funding to assist individuals facing financial barriers and access to books, supplies, or transportation; and a newly announced Tuition Scholarship where eligible residents may receive up to $2000 for short-term career training or help pay for the last semester of a four-year degree program.
The County released its inaugural Oakland80 Report, Expanding Post-secondary Attainment, The Road to Economic Success in Oakland County, in May 2023. The report catalogued post-secondary attainment by demographics and geography, highlighted key economic factors and existing disparities. The Report included best practices from around the country and five strategies designed through the work of local stakeholders that will serve to focus the Oakland80 efforts over the next 5 years.