Report predicts rising need for more educated workers

A study released on Thursday from Georgetown University predicts that in eight years a majority of U.S. jobs will require some post-secondary education, demand the United States is not ready to meet.

The report, conducted by Georgetown's Center on Education and the Workforce, predicted that 63 percent of all jobs will require some post-secondary education by 2018. Employers will demand 22 million new workers with postsecondary degrees, and without major changes in U.S. education policy, the report claims the United States will fall short by 3 million workers.

Information services is among the top six industries that will require workers with the most education, the report said. It also said 90 percent of science, technology, engineering and math fields will require post-secondary education.

"America needs more workers with college degrees, certificates and industry certifications," Anthony P. Carnevale, the center's director, said in a statement. "If we don't address this need now, millions of jobs could go offshore."

Compete America, a coalition of businesses, industry associations and education groups, said the report shows that while "domestic sources of talent are being expanded, U.S. employers must often rely on foreign-born scientists, engineers, researchers and other professionals to help maintain America's innovation leadership." The group favors immigration reform legislation that would allow foreigners who obtain advanced degrees from U.S. colleges to remain in the United States.

But with unemployment still nearly 10 percent, groups such as Compete America may have a tough sell persuading Americans and Congress on the need to allow more skilled foreign workers to come to the United States.