Don Wood Foundation and Questa Education Foundation release study findings on postsecondary education attainment

The Don Wood Foundation, a private foundation dedicated to advancing manufacturing and entrepreneurship, and Questa Education Foundation, a nonprofit that financially helps local students access postsecondary education, today released findings of their Advancing Postsecondary Education and Training Study (APETS) that examines compiled data regarding educational attainment and talent needs in the 12-county region of northeast Indiana.

“The principal finding of the APET study is that students of all ages pursuing any postsecondary credential or degree need better access to individualized support to navigate abundant options and remove barriers to enrollment and completion,” said Elizabeth Bushnell, executive director, Questa Education Foundation. “We believe that through collaboration and collective efforts, our region can centralize and streamline student resources and equip more student advocates to provide the type of individualized guidance students need.”

The next step in response to these findings is to unite as a region through the creation of a Coalition for Advancing Postsecondary Education and Training (CAPET) that will strategize, develop, and implement a regional action plan to make accessible the necessary individualized guidance and support for all students.

“The APET study was designed to serve as a catalyst for regional action to improve postsecondary attainment and meet the current and future needs of regional employers,” said Patrick Buesching, vice president of strategic initiatives with the Don Wood Foundation. “The reality is this study presents a ‘wake-up call’ to northeast Indiana, and we need community stakeholders to actively get involved.”

High level findings from the study include:

• Northeast Indiana is facing a critical talent shortage. Not enough students are graduating with postsecondary education (credentials, certifications, degrees) to meet employer demand for talent in high-demand, high-wage* occupations.
• Financial barriers top the list for high school seniors and adult learners seeking more education. Available financial aid is hard to access and underutilized.
• Nonfinancial barriers pose a significant threat to postsecondary attainment. Intentions to enroll are much higher than actual enrollment, and enrollment is much higher than completion, highlighting additional barriers for current and prospective students.
• Redefining postsecondary education to be inclusive of all educational pathways is a necessary mental shift. We need to stop the debate between college and the trades and reframe postsecondary education as lifelong career development.

“The insistence on framing postsecondary education as a binary choice between ‘college’ and the ‘trades’ presents students with misleading options,” said Patrick Buesching, vice president of strategic initiatives with the Don Wood Foundation. “Possibilities include certifications, undergraduate and graduate degrees, and choices and pathways exist that fit any student regardless of where they are in their educational journey.”

OPPORTUNITIES AND NEXT STEPS

The Don Wood Foundation and Questa Education Foundation will co-host a regional convening Oct. 30 to present research findings, gather input from community stakeholders, and formally launch the Coalition for Advancing Postsecondary Education and Training (CAPET). Formation of the CAPET or (Postsecondary Coalition) is the next phase of this initiative. The CAPET will consider the research and opportunities presented in the report to formalize a strategy for regional action.

Opportunities to guide the Coalition for Advancing Postsecondary Education and Training include:

• Launch a comprehensive informational campaign for prospective students and families aimed at redefining postsecondary education and elevating all education pathways for HDHW careers.
• Create a regional postsecondary education network of practitioners and centralized “first stop” source for financial aid information for students, families, adult learners, guidance counselors, and other supporters.
• Leverage and enhance existing financial aid resources to maximize student enrollment and completion.
• Improve systems and transparency for the use of credits and certifications earned in high school.
• Complement career planning initiatives with transitional and wraparound support for high school graduates to pursue postsecondary education.
• Address cultural and systemic barriers for BIPOC and other underserved students by partnering with trusted communicators.
• Empower adult learners through improved access to guidance, support, and flexible learning pathways.

“It is paramount to engage regional stakeholders from all sectors to develop and implement a collective strategy to support students and meet our regional talent needs,” said Edmond O’Neal, president and CEO of Northeast Indiana Works and member of the APETS Advisory Council. “In addition to involvement from employers, educators, and nonprofit leaders, the CAPET will involve students and parents in designing solutions.”

HOW THE RESEARCH BEGAN

The Don Wood Foundation and Questa Education Foundation began this research in late 2022 in response to feedback from regional scholarship providers to identify answers to three questions:

• What are the regional talent needs and educational/training requirements for success?
• What are the financial barriers to getting learners to enrollment and making it to completion?
• What are the nonfinancial barriers, and how can they be targeted for maximum success?

The full study is available online starting Aug. 19, and the 10-page executive summary is both contained at the beginning of the full study, and available separately here.

To summarize, the regional economy of northeast Indiana is on the cusp of significant growth in high-demand, high-wage jobs that require postsecondary education or training. However, a stark contrast exists between the burgeoning demand for skilled labor and the current educational attainment levels within the region. Declines in postsecondary enrollment and completion compound the problem. It is critical to improve postsecondary attainment to ensure economic resilience and foster growth.

*For purposes of the study, the definition of high-demand high-wage jobs is as follows: Occupations in northeast Indiana that are projected to grow over the next five years, have low risk of automation, require some form of postsecondary credential, and meet a living wage threshold (average wage of HDHW jobs is $34.28 per hour, or $71,000 annually).

ABOUT QUESTA EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Questa Education Foundation is a non-profit organization, established in 1937, dedicated to helping individuals access postsecondary education, graduate with less debt, and become contributing members of Northeast Indiana’s workforce. Through strategic partnerships and innovative programs, Questa empowers individuals to pursue their educational dreams and contribute to the future and success of the region. Learn more at questafoundation.org.

ABOUT THE DON WOOD FOUNDATION
The Don Wood Foundation is a private foundation, established in 2018 by Don Wood, founder of 80/20, Inc., that serves and supports innovators, leaders, collaborators, and skilled workers with the potential to create and sustain opportunities in manufacturing. The Foundation partners with nonprofits and educational institutions to provide sustained investment that supports the development of a diverse workforce through exposure, education, and training to create strong communities rooted in the advancement of manufacturing. Follow Don Wood Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn. Learn more online at donwoodfoundation.org.