Today’s high schoolers believe in education after high school but are interested in pathways that take less time to complete than a four-year degree. They also fully expect to be lifelong learners and receive upskilling and reskilling throughout their lives.
That’s according to this report from the EMCC Group. The study says students’ desire to gain skills that align with the needs of employers is leading to an interest in career-focused pathways, with many believing that a two- or three-year program will suffice.
Given the interest in shorter educational pathways, the report concludes that education institutions may consider bachelor’s degree programs that take less time to complete, as well as programs that integrate credentials four-year programs after students have completed a certain number of courses. Institutions should also consider how to support students’ desire for ongoing learning through stackable credentials or other continuing education opportunities, the report states.
For the report, researchers surveyed more than 7,000 high school students about their thoughts on higher education and their future careers between January 2020 and January 2023.