Louisiana losing young educated workers

Louisiana’s economic growth will be somewhat limited between 2010 and 2020 because of the state’s “relatively low level of education demand,” according to a study by The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.

Louisiana ranks 50th in the nation when it comes to jobs that demand college graduates, which translates to a lower share of high-wage, high-growth occupations and industries, according to the study.

Louisiana also continues to lose both young educated adults and experienced workers. In general, less-educated mature workers are more likely to leave the Southern states, according to the study.

In Louisiana and West Virginia, more educated workers leave.

From 2000 to 2010, Louisiana lost 3,238 workers with at least a bachelor’s degree between 35 and 64, the report shows.

The other Southern states, with the exception of West Virginia, saw an influx of those workers.

Florida added 17,851 college-educated workers who were between 35 and 64 over the same time period.

Mississippi added 836 mature, college-educated workers, the report said.

On the plus side, Louisiana is expected to add 400,000 jobs between 2010 and 2020, the report says.

Louisiana is also rapidly expanding younger industries.

According to Tech America’s 12th annual Cyberstates report, Louisiana is one of the ten fastest-growing states for high-tech industries, due in part to the expansion of digital media, aerospace and advanced materials.

Comments

1) Comment by RobertBigelow - 04/08/2012

With regret, I say, it isn't just for the pay, that young adults, are going away.

2) Comment by hobojoe - 01/08/2012

"Companies who need educated workers won't locate here." Let's see, so what's the state's remediation plan? In the state's infinite wisdom, we've frozen state funding to real public schools for 4 years now, while at the same time we're re-directing millions for vouchers to non-public schools--which don't have to hire certified teachers; which don't have to teach the state mandated curriculum; some of which teach by DVD especially when they lack real technology like computers; whose voucher students won't have to pass standardized tests to move forward; & whose teachers won't have to be evaluated. Sounds like a plan! For continued failure. We better wake up.

3) Comment by spqr - 01/08/2012

Say it is not so. I am sure Adam Knapp of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber was contacted for a comment? Or, was he out of the office?

4) Comment by SuzanneMS - 31/07/2012

It's a Catch-22, isn't it? Companies who need an educated workforce won't locate here, because there aren't enough educated workers, and educated workers leave because companies that would employ them won't locate here. Notice how they never say what those new jobs are. According to Forbes magazine, Louisiana ranks dead last for Labor Supply and Quality of Life. http://www.forbes.com/special-report/2011/best-states-11_rank.html