ConnectOC: Education
Spotlight Issue: Education
Preparing young adults for living wage employment through vocational certification, training and apprenticeship programs is a crucial educational gap to address.
Across Orange County, our community has seen:
25
increase in middle-skill job opportunities requiring less than a four-year degree, since 2003.
68
of the highest growing jobs in Orange County require less than a 4 year degree and pay high hourly living wage.
The middle-skills job market in Orange County is projected to grow by 17,678 new jobs that require education beyond a high school diploma, yet less than a four-year college degree.
Engagement Opportunities
You can make a difference!
Support the OCCF Workforce Development Initiative a collaborative effort that funds 17 nonprofits focused on vocational training, economic self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship, and mentorship.
Mark your calendar for OCCF’s The Future is Working Giving Day so you can support efforts to develop a stronger workforce for Orange County!
Learn more about nonprofits in the workforce readiness space through OC Nonprofit Central .
Progress has been made...
In 2022, Orange County had 57.2% of its high school graduates meet UC/CSU eligibility, 14.2% higher than in 2012.
But more remains to be done…
Increasing workforce readiness is just one way to enhance the Orange County education system.
Young Children
A 2020 analysis of the Orange County Child Care Landscape reveals there are only enough licensed slots for 5% of OC’s population of infants and toddlers.
In 2022, 52.5% of children in Orange County were developmentally ready for kindergarten, a 0.6% decrease from 2019 at 52.9%.
Elementary
Third grade reading proficiency increased from 32% in 2021 to 51% in 2022, but is still lower than 55% in 2017.
Middle/High School
Chronic absenteeism is higher than previous years at every grade level, with 21% of students in 2022 being chronically absent compared to 9% in 2021.
Join Us in Learning More About Our Community
Search OC Nonprofit Central for organizations addressing the causes and issues closest to your heart.
