| The Problem Statement | ||
| HOMEPAGE
PROBLEM STATEMENT
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 After Graduation - Is that it? Region X is primarily rural and poor, ranking in the bottom 10% nationally in regards to the latter. It is economically maintained by a few key industries as well as farming. Even though the public schools in this area have improved the high school graduation rate of their students, few of the graduating class body go on to college. Regarding higher educational geography, the nearest state university is over four-hours’ drive away. There is one 2-year community college, but it is located on the outskirts of Region X and is inconvenient for most to attend. There is also one trade center in the area, and even though it is centrally accessible, it only offers certification in welding and truck driving. As a result, Region X is finding it very difficult to retain the industry it has. Area businesses are requiring more and more technical skills from their employees in order to compete in today’s marketplace. However, because of the lack of higher education and training available for the local citizens, the existing industries simply cannot fill all the skilled positions required from the areas’ available talent pool. Therefore, many businesses are having to face the hard decision of either closing down or moving to another area of the country. Obviously, for the same reason, Region X is not able to attract new businesses. As a result, the poverty level is rising at the rate of 3% annually. Adding to this dilemma--many of the younger families are moving to bigger cities, seeking to fill the rapidly diminishing unskilled labor jobs that may or may not be available there.
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