Updated October 31, 2008 Click here to download PDF of Strategy #6

The Greater Boston region has traditionally prided itself on its human capital and skilled labor force.  In order to achieve the MetroFuture vision the region will have to address a significant shortage of skilled workers that is projected through 2030, and enhance equity in access to the region’s economic opportunities.  To meet this challenge, we need to aggressively expand the level of education and skills training available to our current and future workforce, and remove the barriers to economic opportunity for those currently underserved in our region.

The Greater Boston region will continue to experience relatively low population growth through 2030, with immigrants accounting for a large portion of that growth.  Historically, immigrant, low-income, and minority communities have not had equal access to the region’s economic opportunities.  Therefore, our ability to provide opportunity and to achieve robust and sustainable economic growth will depend on our ability to increase these communities’ access to education, training, and economic opportunities more generally.  Public higher education institutions can help meet the region’s needs by aligning some of their objectives with the region’s economic development objectives, and by being provided with the tools and flexibility they need to expand their enrollment and accessibility.  MetroFuture objectives will also be achieved by reforming CORI and enhancing ESOL programs, which will allow large numbers of people who wish to join the labor force to do so.

The composition of student enrollment in public higher education mirrors the region’s population trends.  According to the Department of Higher Education’s 2006 Performance Measurement Report, the majority of state colleges have minority representation comparable to or greater than that of their host regions.  In addition, the majority of students graduating from the public higher education system remain in the region to work and live.  Consequently, these institutions are uniquely positioned to serve as a critical “connector” in our regional economy, by providing people with the skills and education necessary to access employment opportunities in existing and emerging sectors.