Bacon's Rebellion

Democracy Thrives in Sunlight

COVID and the Workforce

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James A. Bacon
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by James A. Bacon

Virginians with college degrees were far less likely to be laid off during the COVID-19 epidemic, and their occupations are in highest demand during the economic upturn, concludes an analysis written by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and distributed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

“In order to ensure an inclusive, resilient, COVID economic recovery and continued growth across Virginia,” writes Pam Harder, managing director-strategic talent initiatives for VEDP, ” now more than ever we need to invest heavily in helping those without four-year-degrees find affordable and accessible pathways to good jobs.”

Harder makes the case that Virginia needs to “invest in education across the entire spectrum — industry certifications, state licensures, apprenticeships and certificates, as well as traditional degree programs.”

Who’s Looking vs. Who’s Hiring in Virginia (Bachelor’s degree qualifications or higher)
Who’s Looking vs. Who’s Hiring in Virginia (no Bachelor’s degree)

I would fully agree with the statement that the Commonwealth of Virginia needs to invest across the entire educational spectrum rather than channeling the vast majority of state funding into higher-ed institutions, predominantly four-year colleges and universities. Why should the state provide bigger subsidies to students attending four-year colleges who (a) are more likely to come from affluent families, and (b) are more likely to go into higher-paying careers? Why not spread the wealth equally to all citizens seeking to improve their workforce credentials?

Once we ask that question, it leads ineluctably to another: Why do we fund institutions rather than students? Why not say, we will give a financial assist to everybody who seeks legitimate job training, certification, or college degree? If the state stroked checks to individuals, purveyors of training, certification and college degrees might be more responsive to their needs. And if there’s one thing Virginia’s hierarchical, bureaucratic, mission creep-beset higher-ed system needs, it’s a good dose of consumer empowerment.

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6 responses to “COVID and the Workforce”

  1. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
    Dick Hall-Sizemore

    There is some merit to your suggestion. One question/concern popped into my mind: What are the tax implications of direct grants to individuals? The state could make them exempt, of course, but would they be subject to federal taxation? If so, that is the chief advantage of providing the financial assistance through institutions, rather than individuals.

  2. Stephen Haner Avatar
    Stephen Haner

    The voucher approach exists already. The Tuition Assistance Grants (TAG) the state provides to Virginians in private colleges follows the individual, but the money flows straight into the school of their choice and reduces their bill. No reason the same thing couldn’t be done with all other state support — each individual VA high school graduate gets X (maybe 2X with a means test) to apply anywhere they want, from community college up to Harvard.

    But what would the army of well-paid college lobbyists do all year? Damn, they’d lose their entertainment budgets, too! Too simple, too logical…

  3. LarrytheG Avatar
    LarrytheG

    I like the idea of the voucher following the student. It works like that for GI benefits , right? But there is a downside to people making informed choices as to how/where to spend that money. I know this is shocking but if you think public high ed institutions are “thieves”, you ain’t seen nothin yet when it comes to “for profits”.

  4. Eric the half a troll Avatar
    Eric the half a troll

    College graduates are in higher demand than are non-college graduates. Your suggestion is to reduce funding for colleges and shift it to non-degree programs? Seems counterproductive. Seems like making college more financially attainable for more would be the better way to go.

  5. tmtfairfax Avatar
    tmtfairfax

    I notice that some of the for-profit colleges’ TV advertising focuses on tuition freezes and multi-year guarantees. That is a student who matriculates to College A has his or her tuition fixed for four years. Why don’t we seen any similar efforts by nonprofit colleges? Because they don’t really care about students. Economic power rests with the producers, rather than with the consumers.

    A plan that put all taxpayer funding in the hands of students, versus making appropriations to the schools themselves, would radically change higher education, forcing all institutional spending to be focused on students. And we’d see significant layoffs for people who don’t bring value to the students.

    1. LarrytheG Avatar
      LarrytheG

      Do you think that every for-profit “college” will provide as high quality degree as the traditional higher ed? Any concerns that some for-profit would rip off relatively unsophisticated young people and the money would be frittered away on a worthless degree?

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