April 30, 2020

by California Competes

Community Colleges Degree Attainment Employment Regions Sub-Baccalaureate Degrees Ed Equity Adults COVID-19

Download Publication as PDF

An Untapped Opportunity: Californians without a College Degree

As more Californians lose jobs to COVID-19 cutbacks, higher education has a unique opportunity to serve those sidelined workers who don’t have a degree. California Competes’ new research takes a closer look at the 6.8 million Californians aged 25-54 who graduated from high school and didn’t attend or finish college. More vulnerable to unemployment, this population would greatly benefit from streamlined pathways to degrees and certificates. Now more than ever, California’s colleges and universities must prioritize these adults. To do so, postsecondary institutions must better understand the hallmarks of this population.

Download Publication as PDF

During and after the Great Recession, for-profit colleges targeted unemployed adults with no degree and ultimately left them with mountains of debt. History cannot repeat itself. Postsecondary institutions must make structural changes to serve today’s students who are often older with more family responsibilities and less help. California colleges and universities cannot continue to fuel the engine of social inequality by prioritizing students who are recent high school graduates from privileged communities.

This research explores where Californians without a college degree live, where they’ve been employed, whether they receive public assistance, and more important details that will be critical for our postsecondary institutions to consider.

Download An Untapped Opportunity: Californians without a College Degree.

Recent Posts

Video

Postsecondary to Prosperity: A Conversation About Transforming an Inequitable System to Fuel Opportunity

California Competes | July 29, 2020

This webinar explores how higher education systems can be transformed so California’s post-pandemic future can be one where every Californian has the opportunity to thrive. The webinar features Governor Gavin Newsom’s Senior Policy Advisor for Higher Education Dr. Lande Ajose and ECMC President Peter J. Taylor as panelists and California Competes Executive Director Dr. Su Jin Gatlin Jez as moderator.

Learn More
Report

Postsecondary to Prosperity: Examining California’s Opportunity Landscape

July 29, 2020

To inform decision making and help prioritize equity in the state’s approach to economic recovery, this report explores critical insights into educational outcomes, upward mobility in the workforce, and quality of life.

Learn More
Policy & Analysis

California State Budget Analysis

Gail Yen | July 01, 2020

Governor Newsom signed a $202.1 billion budget spending plan earlier this week that was passed by the California Legislature. The budget passed demonstrates our elected leaders’ hope for a quick economic recovery and relies on significant support from the federal government.

Learn More

© 2020 California Competes
California Competes is a project of Community Partners.