• According to the CEPRI report, 1997-2003 funding for workforce education has decreased 8%.  Since 1997-2003 funding for community colleges has increased 33% and university funding has increased 27%.
• The $10 million increase in 2004-2005 is approximately $100 million behind 1997 funding in today’s dollars
• Vocational/Technical schools’ expense continues to increase (salaries and benefits, equipment replacement)
• In Pinellas County programs operate at capacity with student waiting lists; while some programs have been discontinued due to budget constraints
• Technical schools in Pinellas County place approximately 2000 students in jobs each year having an additional annual impact on the local economy of more than $50 million
• Seven of the eleven fastest growing occupations in Florida require a vocational certificate for entry:
  

  Computer Support Specialist
  Desktop Publishing Specialist
  Surgical Technician
  Medical Records Technician
  Medical Assistant
  Home Health Aid
  Paralegal

• Only 23% of work in the 21 st century requires a four-year academic degree or higher*
• 43% of four-year college grads are underemployed, in jobs not utilizing their degrees*  *Source:  Employment Policy Foundation tabulation of Bureau of Labor Statistics/Census Current Population Survey microdata files, January 2001 and January 2002.
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, comparing 1996-2006 to previous ten years, college degree job openings decreased by 18%
• The average age of a skilled tradesperson is 48. The average age of a supervisor is 51. *
• 70% of Technical students enrolled in vocational programs are at or below poverty level

* www.bankrate.com , 8/10/2004