65 by 25 Initiative Seeks to Boost Skilled Workers

A new state initiative, “65 by 25,” seeks to ensure that 65 percent of NH adults hold a postsecondary credential or degree by 2025. The reason? A skilled workforce will move the economy forward.

A working group of business and education leaders, chaired by Ed MacKay, director of the NH Division of Higher Education and former University System of NH chancellor, have developed the initiative, which is supported by the NH Legislature and Gov. Maggie Hassan, and endorsed by the NH Coalition for Business and Education. The NH Community College System is using that goal to set its strategic direction, which is to grow enrollment from 30,000 students in 2015 to 37,000 by 2025. MacKay says the initiative calls for multifaceted strategies, including targeting working adults with little or no college education and getting them into a postsecondary program, as well as retaining a higher percentage of high school students earning a college degree in-state, then keeping the graduates as they enter the workforce.

“Our goal is not simply attainment, but putting in stepping stones from early childhood to high school to sustain progress,” MacKay says. He cautions that achieving and maintaining the 65 by 25 objective will require leadership and investment.

“Businesses are more aware and more concerned about the workforce because they can’t fill their high-skilled jobs. That’s really what’s going to drive any change—if we continue to be unable to meet workforce demands,” says Tom Horgan, president and CEO of the NH College and University Council.