Summary: 4 in 5 Hiring Managers Say High Schoolers Not Prepared for Workforce

A recent report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and College Board highlights a growing concern: most high school graduates are not ready to enter today’s workforce. In the survey of 500 hiring managers across industries, 84% said high school graduates are underprepared, and 80% believed students are less prepared than previous generations. The findings underscore a widening disconnect between high school education and workforce needs, with strong implications for K–12 educators.

Skills Gap Concerns

Employers emphasized the importance of soft skills—critical thinking, communication, and collaboration—as central to workplace readiness. Nearly 90% of hiring managers identified real-world experience such as internships, career and technical education (CTE), or part-time jobs as more valuable than traditional academic achievements. Many reported frustration that new hires lack practical problem-solving ability, adaptability, and communication strategies needed in professional settings.

Equally striking, 97% of employers called for more high school courses teaching professional skills like teamwork, collaboration, and critical thinking. This reflects a consensus that academic preparation alone does not equip students to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.

The Push for Business and Career Courses

The survey also revealed overwhelming support for more business and financial education in high schools. 92% of respondents said students should have access to courses that prepare them for the financial and managerial aspects of work. This coincides with the College Board’s upcoming rollout of AP Career Kickstart courses, including AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity. Already approved in 13 states, these courses aim to provide employer-endorsed credentials and are slated for nationwide availability by fall 2026.

The expansion builds on existing state policies. By 2024, 35 states required students to take personal finance courses before graduating, reflecting recognition of the role financial literacy plays in workforce readiness.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Momentum

CTE has long provided practical pathways for students, and the data confirm its reach: 85% of students took at least one CTE course in 2019, and nearly all districts offered programs by 2016–17. Employers increasingly value industry-recognized credentials that accompany these courses. The survey revealed that 71% of hiring managers rated graduates with such credentials as prepared, compared to only 40% without them.

This indicates that when schools link learning directly to workforce competencies, employer confidence rises significantly.

Academic Declines Add Urgency

The Chamber report arrives alongside troubling academic data. Results from the Nation’s Report Card show that nearly half of high school seniors score below basic levels in math and reading. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon called this a “critical juncture” for education and workforce development. Without both academic foundations and career readiness skills, students face barriers to success in college, careers, and the military.

Implications for Educators

For educators and school leaders, the findings highlight several actionable steps:

1. Embed workforce skills across curricula. Teachers can integrate collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving into all subject areas, not just CTE or business courses.

2. Strengthen business and finance offerings. Expanding access to entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and applied economics can address employer concerns directly.

3. Prioritize experiential learning. Partnerships with local businesses, internship programs, and project-based learning can give students the real-world experiences hiring managers demand.

4. Encourage credentialing. Providing pathways for students to earn industry-recognized certifications enhances their readiness and employability.

Conclusion

The report sends a clear message: the future workforce requires more than academic achievement. Employers want students who are versatile thinkers, communicators, and problem-solvers—and who arrive at the workplace with practical experiences and business savvy. For educators, this is both a challenge and an opportunity: by expanding career-relevant courses, embedding soft skills across disciplines, and supporting CTE pathways, schools can play a pivotal role in bridging the readiness gap.

Original Article

Source: Modan, N. (2025, September 22). 4 in 5 hiring managers say high schoolers not prepared for workforce. K–12 Dive. Retrieved from https://www.k12dive.com/news/4-in-5-hiring-managers-say-high-school...

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com