Giving Compass' Take:

• A new report sheds light on five elements that can address the issue of whether or not college training is meeting the needs of the workforce effectively. 

• What are other alternatives for students if they want specific skills training that colleges can not provide? 

• Read about why students need both college and technical education. 

A new report highlights five key elements to successfully resolving a thorny and much-discussed issue that dogs colleges and universities: the reported misalignment of the skills employers need and the training colleges offer.  It identified common themes of data utilization, stakeholder coordination and collaboration, leaders committed to raising awareness around the issue, aligning curriculum with workforce needs, and access to federal and industry funding.

With the decline in public funding to higher education and rising tuition, the question of whether colleges and universities are prioritizing the proper fields of study has become a prominent topic. Data has determined a skills gap exists, and several solutions have been recommended. But some argue the problem has been overstated.

Nearly half (46%) of U.S. employers say they're having trouble filling jobs due primarily to a lack of applicants and required skills among prospective employees, according to a recent report by global staffing firm ManpowerGroup. Companies with 250 or more employees reported the issue at an even higher rate (58%).

Meanwhile, data show that college students aren't entirely pleased with the prospects offered by a college degree. According to a 2017 Strada-Gallup survey, just one-third of college students "strongly agree" they will graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in the job market, and only about half believe their major will lead to a good job.

A July 2017 report from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce highlighted five initiatives that can help align colleges and employers. Those include creating better structures for colleges to obtain accurate information about jobs and modify their offerings accordingly.

Read the full article about college training for workforce needs by James Paterson at Education Dive