How does this benefit me?

Most jobs will require workers to have training or education beyond high school.

Fact: 77% of projected job openings in Maryland require some type of post-secondary training or education.

Source: National Skills Coalitions’ analysis of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation’s 2006-2016 Maryland Occupational Projections.

Why should you pursue skills training?

With high unemployment, a competitive job market, and new and emerging technologies, many employers are requiring new skills to succeed. This is precisely the time to ensure that you receive the training needed to move into middle- and high-skills jobs that will come with economic recovery. Reports show the majority of these jobs will require some sort of education, certification and/or credential, or degree. The goal of S2C is to help better prepare Marylanders with the skills for these jobs and compete in the workforce.

Is now a good time to get training?

Even in this slow economy, some employers are reporting they cannot find the workers with the skills and credentials needed for the job. This is especially true for middle skill jobs -- jobs in the middle of the skilled labor market which require some training beyond high school, but not a four-year degree. Middle-skill jobs make up the largest part of Maryland’s labor market.

Projected Job Openings in Maryland by Skill Level: 2010-2020 The chart shows that only 24 percent of the projected job openings between 2008 and 2018 will be for low-skill jobs, jobs which require a high school diploma or less. The overwhelming majority of jobs will be either middle-skill or high skill-jobs. Middle-skill jobs require some training or education beyond high school but do require a bachelor's degree. High skill jobs require at least a bachelor's degree. Source: Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

Unemployment Data (PDF document, 68KB, download Adobe Acrobat for free) People with more education and training tend to earn more and are less likely to be unemployed. In May 2010, the national unemployment rate for people with a high school diploma was 10.9 percent. For people with Associate’s degrees, the unemployment rate was 8.3 percent. For people with Bachelor’s degrees, the unemployment rate was 4.7 percent Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.