Page 24 - The South China Business Journal

D.C. TODAY

Few Hiring Managers

Think High School

Graduates Are Ready for

the Workforce

By Thaddeus Swanek, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The College Board and U.S. Chamber's New Hire Readiness Report 2025
finds that entry-level workers need more than a diploma to
be ready for today¡¯s workforce.

merica¡¯s workforce is facing an urgent test? ? A strong majority (80%) agree that current high
Aand a new survey from the U.S. Chamber and school graduates are less prepared to enter the
College Board found that many hiring managers feel workforce compared to previous generations.
that high school graduates are not up the challenge.
But getting the right combination of education, soft Talent Boosters: Internships, Soft Skills, Business Courses
skills, and experience can make these graduates
better prepared to enter the workforce. There are many things high school grads can do to
make themselves better prepared for the workforce,
According to the New Hire Readiness Report the survey finds.
2025, most hiring managers feel that high school
grads are not ready for work: For one, hiring managers view trade school or four-
year college grads as much more prepared for
? Four in five (84%) surveyed hiring managers work. They also feel that career-focused high school
agree that most high school students are not courses and work experience?like internships?
prepared to enter the workforce. help make early-career professionals much more
prepared for work:

21 AMCHAM SOUTH CHINA