Workforce

Excelencia in Education's mission is to accelerate Latino student success while increasing all student success in higher education—from college-to-career by strengthening pathways into the workforce, improving post-completion outcomes, and advancing the talent that drives our nation’s economy.

Advancing Post-Completion Success

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Post-Completion Success: How Leading HSIs Are Transforming Career Readiness

As the Latino population grows, their educational and career success is tied to the nation’s economic prosperity. Despite current discourse that calls to question the value of higher education today, research continues to show that a college degree increases lifetime earnings, job stability, and long-term well-being. For Latino students, degrees can transform life trajectories—not only for individuals but for entire families. Strengthening pathways from college to career for Latino, and all, students is key to our country, future workforce, and advancing economic mobility.

In this brief, Excelencia in Education identified three key post-completion strategies from engaging with institutions in the Excelencia in Action network—preparing Latino, and all, students for success beyond graduation, linking them to meaningful workforce opportunities, and measuring post-completion outcomes.

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Finding Your Workforce header with graduate and students images

Latinos have the highest labor force participation, with 66 percent of those 16 years and older in the labor force, and demonstrates they will account for 91 percent of new workers — the largest number of any group — and one in five workers overall by 2031. However, Latinos are the most likely to be employed in manual labor occupations and earn the lowest salary compared to other groups. This brief is Excelencia’s roadmap for both employers and institutions to take action to ensure America’s future by advancing Latino talent.

The top institutions awarding credentials to Latinos at each level are:

NUC University in Puerto Rico (Certificate)
Miami Dade College in Florida (Associate)
Florida International University in Florida (Baccalaureate and Master’s)
Nova Southeastern University in Florida (First Professional and Doctorate)

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Finding Your Workforce header with graduate and students images in STEM

Latinos are the nation’s fastest growing population and are shaping the nation’s workforce, accounting for 91 percent of new workers by 2031. Although more Latinos are entering the STEM workforce, they continue to be underrepresented in STEM occupations. In 2021, Latinos represented 18 percent of the nation’s workforce yet represented less than 10 percent of all STEM occupations. This brief is Excelencia’s roadmap presenting an opportunity for employers and institutions to take action to ensure America’s future by strengthening the Latino STEM talent pipeline.

The top institutions awarding credentials to Latinos at each level in STEM are:

Dallas College in Texas (Certificate)
South Texas College in Texas (Associate)
Florida International University in Florida (Baccalaureate and Master’s)
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in Michigan (Doctorate)

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Finding Your Workforce header with graduate and students images in health

Healthcare occupations are projected to increase over the next decade. As the demand for healthcare professionals increases, Latinos are increasing their representation in healthcare positions. Despite their increased representation, Latinos are more likely to be in healthcare support occupations rather than in healthcare management or professional occupations that offer higher salaries. This brief is Excelencia’s roadmap for both employers and institutions to take action to ensure America’s future by advancing Latino talent in health.

The top institutions awarding credentials to Latinos at each level in health are:

NUC University in Puerto Rico (Certificate and Associate)
Western Governors University in Utah (Baccalaureate)
Miami Regional University in Florida (Master’s)
Rutgers University-New Brunswick in New Jersey (Doctorate)
Nova Southeastern University in Florida (First Professional)

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Finding Your Workforce header with graduate and students images in education

Latinos are shaping the nation’s population–inside and outside of the classroom. Occupations in education disciplines are projected to increase in the next decade. While Latinos have increased their representation in education related occupations, they are more likely to be in education occupations with lower salaries. This brief is Excelencia’s roadmap for both employers and institutions to take action to ensure America’s future by advancing Latino talent in education.

The top institutions awarding credentials to Latinos at each level in education are:

Miami Regional University in Florida (Certificate)
South Texas College in Texas (Associate)
Florida International University in Florida (Baccalaureate)
Grand Canyon University in Arizona (Master’s)
Nova Southeastern University in Florida (Doctorate)

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Podcast Episode:

Finding your Workforce – Latino Talent for a Global Economy highlights best practices to leverage the high labor force participation rate of Latinos, projected to be one in five workers by 2031. Deborah Santiago, Excelencia in Education's co-founder and CEO, in episode 53 of ACT's Ready for Work podcast discusses the importance of developing stackable credentials, providing transition services, and connecting Latino talent to employers. Get ready to uncover actionable insights, debunk common myths, and discover best practices to reduce skill shortages.

Webinar:

Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent for a Global Economy

Ensuring America’s future to meet our nation’s economic and civic engagement requires both institutions and employers have a tactical plan to link Latino, and all, college graduates to the workforce. Leaders from institutions, employers, and philanthropy shared their perspectives and efforts for educating, preparing, and connecting Latinos to the workforce.

Expand Your Knowledge about Workforce with Excelencia

How does data on Latino college completion inform U.S. workforce needs?

Data inform the profile of Latino students in higher education and the institutions graduating them. As Latino college enrollment and completion continue to rise nationwide, understanding these trends is essential to meeting current and future workforce demands and strengthening the country’s economic competitiveness.

How do we close the opportunity gap and why does this matter for the workforce?

Closing the opportunity gap requires a tactical plan for accelerating, not just increasing, Latinos’ degree attainment. Latino students represent a young, fast-growing group of college-goers and are central to the nation’s future workforce. Investing in Latino college completion strengthens the talent, expands access to skilled workers across sectors, and ensures the U.S. can meet its future civic leadership and workforce needs

How are leading Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) supporting Latino, and all, students beyond degree completion?

HSIs are expanding their commitment to Latino student success beyond enrollment and graduation by intentionally incorporating workforce preparation and post-completion efforts into their institutional efforts and strategic plans. Through career-aligned learning, partnerships with employers, and pathways from college to career, HSIs are helping Latino, and all, graduates transition into the workforce.