Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Business Journal Q3 2014 | Page 58

Power

The
of a Community College Credential
Community colleges often lead graduates to better job prospects and salaries

Youth and adults alike have a challenging road ahead
of them, especially if they are job-hunting. The difficulty
is often most notable when trying to find suitable
employment in an economy that, while growing, has
altered the landscape of job-seekers in technical and
professional fields.

industry-based certification, some college credits or
an associate degree. In fact, there is a significant rise
nationwide in “middle jobs” – those 29 million jobs that
lead to earnings of more than $35,000 annually and
don’t require a bachelor’s degree. This represents one
out of every five jobs in the American economy.

These changes are happening rapidly, and the impact
on those graduating with an associate degree is
tremendous.

Locally, Laramie County Community College (LCCC) is
responding to those needs.

“We are hitting the ‘sweet spot’ as far as these jobs
are concerned,” LCCC President Joe Schaffer said.
“Basically, the future global economy requires college
educated workforce, and the U.S. has slipped down
from other countries. We need more college educated
individuals.”
A student in Laramie County Community College’s HVAC/R program
According to the Georgetown
practices his skills in one of the college’s technical labs.
Center and based on Wyoming
-Melonie Jones/LCCC photo
Job Openings by Education Level,
by 2020, 63 percent of all jobs will
be available to those with education
beyond high school – including
those with an associate degree.

Based on the extensive research of Anthony Carnevale
and his team at Georgetown University, almost onethird of all job openings between 2010 and 2012
will require a post-secondary vocational certificate,

As reported in a feature on CNN
Money from 2013, community
college graduate earnings are
actually outpacing those with
bachelor’s degrees: “The increase
in wages for community college
grads is being driven by a high
demand for people with so-called

PG 58 l

Education: The Foundation of Our Future