Report shows employers value durable skills such as critical thinking and collaboration
LEXINGTON, Ky -- The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence today released results of the 2024 Meaningful Diploma Employer Survey, offering critical insights into the workforce readiness of Kentucky’s high school graduates. Based on responses from over 600 employers across more than 20 industries in the state, the report provides a detailed examination of employers' confidence in graduate preparedness, the value of durable skills, and opportunities to strengthen school-business partnerships.
"Kentucky's high school diploma must be evidence that Kentucky’s high school students are prepared for post-high school success," said Prichard Committee President and CEO Brigitte Blom. "While we celebrate Kentucky’s high graduation rate, the reality is that too many students leave high school without the academic knowledge, career preparation, and durable skills needed to succeed in college and the workforce. Ensuring Kentucky’s high school diploma is meaningful is about giving every Kentucky student genuine opportunities for economic mobility, strengthening our talent pipeline, and ensuring our state's future prosperity. This work is essential not just for individual student success, but for breaking cycles of poverty, building generational wealth in our communities, and positioning Kentucky as a leader in both postsecondary attainment and workforce participation."
The findings shed light on gaps in workforce readiness while outlining opportunities for education and business leaders to collaborate on solutions that ensure graduates are equipped for post-secondary success—whether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce.
Key Findings from the Report:
- Employer Confidence in Graduate Preparedness
While 56% of Kentucky employers report moderate to high confidence in the preparedness of recent high school graduates, only 12% express strong confidence, with 14% reporting none. Employers identified significant gaps in essential workplace competencies, such as professionalism, critical thinking, and communication, with less than 10% rating graduates as well-prepared in these areas.
- The Importance of Durable Skills
Durable skills, including professionalism, work ethic, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence, are viewed as critical for success by 78.5% of employers. The findings underscore the importance of integrating these skills into K-12 education to better prepare students for life beyond high school.
- Untapped Potential in Work-Based Learning
Practical work experience is highly valued by employers, yet only 21.4% currently offer these opportunities. Encouragingly, over 54% of employers expressed a willingness to provide work-based learning, signaling significant potential to expand real-world learning opportunities for students.
- School-Business Partnerships
Collaboration between schools and businesses is viewed as essential by 83.7% of employers surveyed. However, only half of respondents have engaged with K-12 schools, and less than 20% report frequent interactions. Employers showed strong interest in partnering on curriculum development (55%) and supporting career preparation initiatives (65%), highlighting the need for stronger communication and coordination.
- Barriers to Workforce Readiness Programs
The report identifies key challenges in implementing workforce readiness programs, including a lack of qualified instructors or mentors (50%), student engagement challenges (45.8%), and scheduling coordination difficulties (45.1%).
“The postsecondary transition and workforce landscape has shifted dramatically,” said Delaney Stephens, Prichard Committee Director of Policy for Meaningful Diplomas. “Today's high school graduates are making different choices than their predecessors did just a few years ago. More are heading straight into the workforce or combining work with further education. This makes it more important than ever that a high school diploma represents real preparation for success, whether a graduate's next step is college, career, or both.”
The 2024 Meaningful Diploma Employer Survey reveals a clear need for stronger alignment between Kentucky’s education system and workforce demands. By addressing gaps in graduate preparedness, expanding work-based learning opportunities, and fostering robust school-business partnerships, Kentucky can ensure all graduates are equipped to thrive in the modern workforce.
"The findings of this survey highlight both the challenges and opportunities before us," said Blom. "It’s a call to action for educators, policymakers, and the business community to come together and develop innovative strategies that will prepare every student for a successful post-high school pathway."
The full report is available for download here.
For more information on how employers and schools are working toward creating meaningful and relevant educational experiences in Kentucky communities, visit the Prichard Committee’s Meaningful Diploma Spotlight series here.
