1. Identify Enrollment Opportunities in Growing Fields
Labor market data comes from many places, including local workforce boards, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and analytics platforms like Lightcast. This critical data gives insight into fast-growing industries and identifies potential skills gaps.
Identifying talent shortages helps colleges plan for program expansion — particularly in rising fields like healthcare, IT and logistics. With its short-term certification catalog, MedCerts Partner Solutions can help your institution align with career demand. For example, if regional data indicated 15% job growth for Medical Assistants or EKG Technicians, you could partner with MedCerts to train students for these in-demand roles.
2. Strengthen Marketing and Recruitment With Career Insights
Real-time outlooks also benefit recruitment and marketing teams by connecting programs to job openings and career outcomes. Accurate ROI data could even help convince students to enroll. Afterward, they can work with career advisors on the options available upon graduation. For example, a student enrolled in IT Security Specialist training would have access to the top hiring IT employers and the skills they seek.
All of these labor data insights go far beyond traditional marketing and its narrow degree focus. Now, data from the labor market adds proof of employability.
3. Connect Academic Offerings and Workforce Needs
Like other areas, academic programs benefit from audits. When programs don’t have a clear market connection, consider embedding licensed content like short-term MedCerts’ certifications that help shape the future workforce through in-demand academic training.
You could also customize stackable credentials through content reselling. For example, pair a general business degree with Project Management Essentials or CAPM certifications to attract more employers.
4. Support Institutional Partnerships
You can also use labor market information (LMI) to identify top employers. Approaching them about internships or tailored training programs could lead to institutional partnerships that support real job demand.
MedCerts works with colleges as a strategic data and training partner, using data-driven decision-making to build certification pathways. By aligning with employer needs, you enhance your offerings and give students enhanced value for their time.
5. Optimize Program Planning and Resource Allocation
LMI resources can also help academic leaders optimize programs. Those that don’t align with job demand may be frozen or gradually phased out.
Consider a scenario where data showed fewer openings for administrative support, but more demand for healthcare roles like Professional Caregivers or Phlebotomy Technicians. You could reallocate funding into healthcare and build more sustainable enrollment: naturally higher demand and better job placement.
6. Strengthen Grant Applications and Workforce Funding Cases
Verified labor market information for colleges even helps justify federal WIOA and Pell funding requests or state workforce grants. Using relevant labor data, MedCerts can help your institution meet the 90/10 rule for funding and grants.
If your institution has reached 90% of revenue from federal aid, consider MedCerts’ apprenticeships that align with approved Department of Labor programs. The dual benefit combines secure funding with academic responsiveness to job needs.
Level Up Your Academic Offerings
By offering in-demand programs, you increase student enrollment and retention and cement your place as a top-ranking institution of higher learning. Labor market data is key to critical insights, and partnerships with key training providers can help you reach your goals. Connect with MedCerts to discuss how to implement these strategies and level up your offerings.
