By 2018, two out of every three jobs in America will only be available to people who have some type of post-secondary education, such as a certificate, diploma or degree. Career colleges are playing an important role in providing efficient and effective pathways to careers in high-demand fields.

• Career colleges educated about three million people in 2008 – 2009, which is more than 10% of all post-secondary students.
• Graduation rates at private sector colleges are higher than at comparable public sector institutions, at 65% to 44%.
• Graduates post an average income gain of $7,900 per year, or $250,000 over a 30-year career.

When the federal government invests in classroom-based skills training for job-seekers, it is almost always delivered by career colleges or community colleges. The Parthenon Group research indicates:

• Only one of every 25 Americans served by federal job training programs actually receives classroom-based skills training – the type of instruction that leads to higher paying and more meaningful jobs in the long run.
• Those receiving skills instruction usually receive a $3,000-$4,000 grant to be used at a local institution, usually a community or career college.

However,  financial constraints limit the ability of community colleges to fill the gap. The flexibility and financial capacity of private sector colleges will be critical to finding a solution to current levels of unemployment and the need for skills training.