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Friday, February 7, 2025

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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Report: Utah sits well above national average for adults' degree attainment

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Tuesday, February 4, 2025   

Utah has made noteworthy progress in increasing the number of working-age adults who hold a degree or credential beyond high school.

Credentials are official documents to verify someone's qualifications or competency in a given skill. According to the Lumina Foundation's latest Stronger Nation report, the Beehive State's attainment rate sits at nearly 62%, well above the national average. But the foundation said there is still work to be done.

Teresa Lubbers, president of the Indiana-based think tank the Sagamore Institute, argued building consensus from the public, private and philanthropic sectors can lead to higher attainment in the future.

"Not all credentials or all degrees are the same," Lubbers pointed out. "I don't think that the salary alone can be the measure because some important jobs don't have the pay we think they should have, but economic mobility is an important way to measure it and all degrees and credentials should ensure economic mobility and meet workforce needs."

Lubbers emphasized there is a direct correlation between postsecondary education and having a good-paying job. Post-high school attainment has increased 17 percentage points since 2009 in the United States. It currently sits at nearly 55%. Lumina Foundation recognizes it is progress but it is not enough to meet their 60% attainment nationwide goal by the end of this year.

Lumina Foundation said the ability to count short-term workforce-aligned credentials, such as certificate programs and industry recognized certifications, have contributed to the nation's overall progress in the last 10-15 years. They said the credentials help bridge skills gaps and offer opportunities for career advancement.

Lubbers added it is important for Utahns to understand their economic security depends on having valuable credentials.

"We have shifted thinking to a learner-based system of higher education, that is 'future-focused,' workforce aligned, and then we come up with the strategies that will do that," Lubbers outlined. "I'm a big believer in strategic plans for higher education in states."

While raising educational attainment numbers is important, ensuring equal opportunities for all is crucial as well. Despite Black, Hispanic and Native American and Alaska Native adults having seen improvements over the last 15 years, Lubbers stressed more should be done to ensure they do not continue to lag behind white and Asian adults.


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