BOISE, Idaho — A brand-new study shows not enough students are graduating with engineering and computer science degrees to fill jobs around the state. It is a problem the Idaho State Board of Education, universities and industry leaders want to fix.
The state board asked a Colorado-based higher education company to research the gap between graduates and jobs about a year ago. The findings were released on Thursday.
The state legislature funded the study after industry leaders "expressed concern to policymakers that Idaho wasn't producing enough engineering and computer science graduates from its public institutions to meet the needs of Idaho's economy."
Data from the study shows there are nearly 2,000 open jobs throughout Idaho in 2023. However, only about 1,300 graduates are from public and private institutions.
The study also states about 60% of engineering graduates stay in Idaho to work; about 73% with computer science degrees stay to work in the state.
Additionally, the study reviewed gender and race discrepancies within the field.
A spokesperson with the state board said the data is extremely helpful. Now that there are numbers backing up the issue industry leaders are concerned about, the board can soon take steps to address the root causes.
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