Montana educators expect lower numbers of graduates to fill workforce demands.

“For Montana, this is not just an educational issue, it’s an economic one,” Kelly said. “The big need in Montana is to create more demand in its employment sector for high-skilled employees.

Who we are – as Montanans – is expected to change significantly over the next 15 to 20 years, if trends hold true.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Montana will see an overall decline in its college-age population, about a 19 percent decrease in the number of people ages 18 to 24.

State education leaders are keeping a close eye on this shifting human landscape, and have been meeting regularly to talk about work force development programs and to devise new strategies that make college more accessible and affordable, particularly for first-generation college students, minority students and low-income Montanans.

By BETSY COHEN of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/12/31/news/local/znews02.txt