“How can higher education be responsive to the region’s education, training, and economic needs?”
It is a compelling question, but one that isn’t always being asked or acted upon.
That’s why we were pleased with the “Thrive Quad Cities” assessment which is based on this question and has the mission to create a scalable model that would guide future workforce development efforts here and in other regions throughout the state.
The goal of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) is to help communities align education opportunities with workforce needs by creating a comprehensive workforce and education landscape analysis, according to Jennifer B. Barnett, the IBHE associate director of workforce analytics.
Afterall, education is foundational to economic growth. When education isn’t aligned with economic needs then a gap develops and can exacerbate an already tight workforce, something the Quad Cities knows all too well.
“This analysis will be instrumental in carrying out important, strategic work that will accelerate access to meaningful and life-changing careers for Illinoisans in the Quad Cities region,” IBHE Executive Director Ginger Ostro said at the report’s January release.
We appreciate data driven analysis which this initiative is based upon. Among other things, it looked at fast growing occupations from 2018 to 2023.
The IBHE began partnering with the Center for Economic Mobility at WestEd in 2023 to create the Quad Cities Thrive report. The nonpartisan education research, development, and service agency began by thoroughly analyzing the Quad Cities education, higher education and workforce landscape, Ms. Barnett said.
WestEd focused on areas where higher education can help communities deal with workforce shortages and help students get the skills they need for in-demand, well-paying jobs through degree, training or certification programs.
In the Quad Cities, Ms. Barnett said “There is a need for both the trades as well as higher education, post-secondary nontrade professional level.”
Among the area’s highest-demand occupations is general manager. There also is a broad need for workers in construction, manufacturing, team assemblers, machinists, transportation and warehousing, truck drivers and other material movers, she said. And, “of course, we’re all very aware of the health care shortages.”
Other in-demand careers are software developers, engineers and analysts as well as unmet job opportunities in business and administration, as reported by the QCBJ.
This assessment is a great first step and we appreciate the IBHE for utilizing the Quad Cities on this pilot project and its commitment to continue to support the region and provide insight and information to local leaders with an annual update.
The question for the region now is who is going to take the lead on using the assessment to impact real change, and how will they monitor and make sure it doesn’t become another nice report with good intentions that gathers dust?
