As of 2018, 29.7% of our population, age 25 -64, have an Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Degree or more.  Many residents pursued degrees following the 2008 financial crisis by enrolling in our local higher education institutions.  In 2000, less than 19% of our population held a degree.  Wayne County is lucky to have 5 higher education institutions to serve our community and this has contributed to the increase year over year.  

The Employability Coalition is working with a variety of partners that include K-12, Higher Education, EDC, Employers, and more.  Our active coalition includes Ivy Tech, IU East, Wayne County EDC, K-12, and some of our largest employers like Reid Health.

We believe connecting educational attainment goals to even our youngest population is key to increasing the statistic over the coming decades.  This means our Early Childhood Coalition is focused on connecting more toddlers to high-quality preschools.  We know it is vital for our kids to have a strong foundation to achieve success in school and beyond. 

Forward Wayne County's strategy to increase educational attainment begins with our Employability Coalition.  This coalition works as a collective impact coalition and has established 4 strategies. 

1. Experiential Learning - from grade school through college, every student should be engaged in employer experiential learning opportunities. 
2. Transitioning Workforce - those re-entering the workforce need resources and support to achieve the goal of employment.
3. Explore and Experience - exposing kids and adults to a variety of career opportunities helps them imagine themselves in new roles.
4. Upskilling and Development - focusing on talent development is key to improving our local talent.