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In a persistently challenging enrollment environment, institutions need to be strategic, proactive, and realistic when it comes to projections and planning. ...

Using Demographic Data to Create a (Realistic) Enrollment...

Using Demographic Data to Create a (Realistic) Enrollment Plan

<a href="https://lightcast.io/resources/research/strengthening-enrollment-with-market-aligned-programs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img alt="Labor market data can be organized as a pyramid, from broad to specific." title="Labor market data can be organized as a pyramid, from broad to specific." src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/62658/1663712610-lightcast-labor-market-data-pyramid.png" width="435" height="419" style="float: right; margin-top: 0; padding: 0 10px;" /></a>The first step is getting clarity on how your current program portfolio aligns with economic trends in your region. You can start by using a CIP-to-SOC crosswalk, like <a href="https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/post3.aspx?y=56" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the one provided by the National Center for Education Statistics</a>, to identify which occupations are most relevant for each academic program. Note however that the NCES says their crosswalk &ldquo;is not based on actual empirical data,&rdquo; so you may want to modify it based on your own real-world experience and observations.
This program-to-occupation mapping lays the groundwork, but the real &ldquo;assessment&rdquo; happens when you compare institutional data (like program enrollments and completions) to external market data (like job growth in related occupations and median wages). This can <a href="https://lightcast.io/resources/blog/ecu-measuring-gaps-to-guide-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">illuminate gaps where the economy is underserved</a>, signaling an opportunity for growth and expansion of programs that are aligned to that need.

Education

Whether you're launching new programs or seeking to reinvigorate existing ones, labor market insight is an essential tool for strengthening the connection between programs and careers.

Positioning Programs for Success with Labor Market Insight

Positioning Academic Programs for Success with Labor Market Insight

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Enrollment Marketing

Dive deeper

The economy is changing fast. For institutions committed to their students’ career-readiness, this rate of change presents an obvious challenge. How do you create and maintain credentials (whether full degrees or shorter-term microcredentials) that prepare students for jobs that may not even exist yet?

Preparing for Jobs That Don’t (Yet) Exist

How higher ed institutions can keep themselves and their students ahead of the curve

Preparing Students for Jobs That Don’t (Yet) Exist

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Related resources from Lightcast

Using Demographic Data to Create a (Realistic) Enrollment Plan

Positioning Academic Programs for Success with Labor Market Insight

Preparing Students for Jobs That Don’t (Yet) Exist