For many Detroit-area workers, the challenge isn’t always finding a job -- it’s qualifying for the next one.
While unemployment in Detroit remains higher than state and national averages, employers across multiple industries continue to report difficulty filling open positions. The issue, according to Alison Bell, regional vice president at Western Governors University, isn’t about a lack of jobs.
“Many employers have persistent vacancies, so the problem is not a job shortage, it’s a mismatch between the skills needed in available jobs and the skills the available workforce has,” Bell said.
That reality is prompting more adults to reconsider education and training -- not necessarily because they’re looking for a completely new career, but because they want to remain competitive in the one they already have.
Detroit’s workforce is evolving
Detroit has long been known as a manufacturing hub, but the jobs shaping the region’s future often require a different skill set than those of previous generations.
According to Bell, one of the most noticeable skills gaps is in manufacturing itself.
“The work is shifting toward robotics, automation, EV production and advanced mobility systems,” she said. “This shift requires workers who have both manufacturing and digital skills.”
The need extends beyond manufacturing. Healthcare organizations continue to face shortages in nursing, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, paramedicine and medical imaging roles.
At the same time, nearly every industry is being affected by advances in technology.
“All industries are being impacted by the need for workers with digital skills, especially in AI-assisted workflows,” Bell said.
As technology becomes more integrated into daily operations, employers are increasingly looking for workers who can adapt, learn new systems and build specialized knowledge throughout their careers.
Why more adults are returning to school
For many workers, the changing job market has sparked an important question: What skills will I need five years from now?
The answer often leads people back to education.
Whether someone wants a promotion, greater job security or a career change, many adults are recognizing that additional credentials can help open doors that may otherwise remain closed.
Research consistently shows that postsecondary education can have a significant impact on long-term earnings and employment opportunities. According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, workers with a bachelor’s degree earn 70% more at the median than workers with a high school degree.
But the benefits go beyond income.
Studies have also linked higher levels of education to improved health outcomes, increased civic engagement and greater opportunities for upward mobility.
“Earning a postsecondary credential results in significant economic and social advantages,” Bell said.
What’s holding people back?
Despite those benefits, many adults hesitate to return to school.
Bell said the biggest barriers tend to fall into three categories: cost, time and self-doubt.
For working adults, tuition often competes with other financial priorities, from mortgages and rent to childcare and household expenses.
Time can be just as challenging.
Many prospective students are balancing full-time jobs, raising children, caring for family members and staying involved in their communities. Adding coursework to an already packed schedule can feel overwhelming.
Then there’s confidence.
“Many adults question whether they have the academic skills, discipline or confidence to succeed in a classroom,” Bell said.
Some worry they won’t fit in with younger students. Others carry memories of difficult educational experiences that make returning feel intimidating.
In many cases, those concerns are stronger than the reality.
Bell noted that many prospective students overestimate the cost of earning a degree while underestimating the amount of financial aid and scholarship support that may be available to them.
A different approach to higher education
One reason more adults are reconsidering college is that higher education itself has changed.
Flexible learning models have made it possible for students to pursue degrees while continuing to work and manage family responsibilities.
At Western Governors University, students complete coursework entirely online and can work through courses on schedules that fit their lives.
“WGU’s flexible education model allows working adults who balance busy schedules and competing priorities to earn a degree with minimal disruption to their day-to-day lives,” Bell said.
The ability to learn outside the traditional classroom has expanded access for people who may have once viewed higher education as unrealistic.
Taking the first step
For Detroit workers who know they want to grow professionally but aren’t sure where to begin, Bell recommends starting with information.
“The next step is always gathering information about degree options, actual costs, scholarship and financial aid options, and assessing long-term goals,” she said. “Research shows most people overestimate how expensive a degree will be, underestimate the amount of financial aid available, and may not know all of the options available for earning a degree.”
Understanding what’s available -- and what it really costs -- can help people make informed decisions about their future.
In a workforce increasingly shaped by technology, specialized skills and changing employer expectations, staying competitive often means continuing to learn.
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