High School Occupational Outlook

LenaweeCounty anditssurroundingcounties provideafavorablelabor marketfor jobseekerswith ahighschool diploma or equivalent qualification. In 2022, 58% of job postings with education qualifications advertised minimum education requirements at the high school level. Occupations typically requiring a high school diploma or GEDforentrylevelpositionscomprise44%ofLenaweeCountyjobs,whileonly37%ofthepopulationpossesses a high school diploma or equivalent. This 7% gap in educational attainment means many employers must weigh the costs and benefits of employing workers with post-secondary education at higher wages than someone with a high school education or investing in training and upskilling for employees without their minimum education requirements. From the employee’s viewpoint, a high school degree or GED is a standard barrier to entry across all occupations and industries, and having one makes job seekers more competitive in the labor market.

Lenawee’s neighboring counties have similar, albeit more severe educational attainment gaps for occupations requiring a high school diploma or GED. Occupations typically requiring a high school education or equivalent comprise 38% of the occupational employment share in surrounding counties, while only 29% of the current population claim this as their highest level of educational attainment. This report illuminates how area workers and job seekers without a high school diploma or GED can capitalize on the current labor shortages by gaining the skills necessary to obtain profitable and meaningful employment.

Employment Without Higher Education

 Workers with a high school diploma or equivalent certification have strong employment opportunities and prosperous career trajectories.Individualsseeking full-time employment immediately after obtaining their high school diploma or GED enter the workforce sooner and earn wages for longer than those who pursue postsecondary education. They avoid the debt burden commonly associated with higher education and gain additional years of practical experience, qualification employers often view as a substitute for formal education.

 Post-secondary education is not a prerequisite for earning a living wage. Workers employed in 295 of 494 occupations typically requiring no formal education or a high school diploma for entry earn a living wage in Lenawee County. In surrounding counties, workers employed in 323 of the 494 occupations with entry level education requirements at or below the high school level earn a living wage.

 Some occupations with a high school entry level requirement host average regional wages that are comparable to, or at times even higher than, occupations with postsecondary educational requirements.

Identifying Careers

The following characteristics describe target career areas:

 High-volume of occupations reflecting in-demand competencies and skills.

 Advertised salaries significantly exceeding statewide averages.

 Strong historical job growth expected to persist as evidenced by high demand relative to supply.

 A wide array of career entry and growth opportunities supporting workforce transitions, training, and upskilling/reskilling initiatives.

 A revolving workforce with members approaching retirement age.