1. SHRM Survey Findings:
Changing Employee Skills and Education
Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
In collaboration with and commissioned by Achieve
October 3, 2012

2. Introduction
• This is the first part of a series of SHRM/Achieve survey findings titled “Changing Employee
Skills and Education Requirements.” These results look at the minimum education
requirements for current, recently hired and future full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
• The following nine industries were included in the sample. Overall results are reported first,
followed by industry-specific results for the following industries:
 Construction, mining, oil and gas
 Federal government
 Finance
 Health
 High-tech
 Manufacturing
 Professional services
 State and local government
 Nonprofessional services
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
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3. Key Findings
• Are organizations projecting that future jobs will require even more skills, education and credentials?
Yes, organizations across all industries are projecting that future jobs at all levels will require more skills,
education and credentials/certifications.
• Where are middle-skill job requirements changing the most? The largest differences between current
levels and future requirements in skilled labor and administrative/secretarial—key areas for mid-skilled
jobs—were in manufacturing. Across industries, 31% of organizations forecast the need for
postsecondary certificates or credentials for future skilled labor positions compared with 26% of
organizations whose current workers in those jobs hold such qualifications.
• Where are the greatest changes in current levels and future education expectations for administrative/
secretarial jobs? Industries across the board show a projected increase in educational requirements for
administrative/secretarial positions. For these positions, organizations are forecasting a much higher
need for job candidates with associate’s degrees: 21% for future workers compared with 12% with such
degrees in the current workforce. The industries with the largest difference between current and future
education requirements were manufacturing, nonprofessional services, federal government, health,
and state and local government.
• Will there still be jobs that do not have minimum education requirements? Even lower-skilled jobs are
likely to have minimum education requirements, with 71% of organizations forecasting a requirement for
a high school diploma and 7% expecting a specific post-secondary certificate/credential or an
associate’s degree for such jobs.
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4. Key Findings
• Will more professional jobs require advanced degrees? Overall, the answer is no, but it depends on the
industry. Organizations in most industries project future education requirements for salaried individual
contributors and professional jobs to level off at the bachelor’s degree level (71%), with only 5%
forecasting requirements for advanced degrees for these types of jobs. The federal government is
slightly more likely than other industries to project a need for advanced degrees in these jobs (13%).
• What industries are forecasting increased demand for managers with advanced degrees? Organizations
are most likely to project an increased need for advanced degree holders in management jobs in the
following industries: federal government (26%), health (20%), professional services (23%), and state and
local government (17%).
• What about minimum educational requirements for executives (e.g. ,CEO, CFO, VP)—are those
expected to change? Yes, organizations across industries are projecting an increased need for
advanced degree holders for their future executive positions (48% say they will have this requirement for
future executives, compared with only 38% who report that current executive-level positions have
advanced degree as a minimum education requirement).
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5. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? All Industries
Labor, low-skilled Labor, skilled
No minimum 28% No minimum 8%
education 25% education 7%
requirements 23% requirements 6%
70% 58%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
72% 59%
equivalent only equivalent only
71% 50%
Specific postsecondary 1% Specific postsecondary 26%
certificate/ 1% certificate/ 26%
credential(s) only 4% credential(s) only 31%
1% Current (n = 3,131) 5% Current (n = 3,205)
Associate’s degree 1% Associate’s degree 6%
Recent (n = 2,830) Recent (n = 2,939)
2% 9%
Future (n = 2,911) Future (n = 3,036)
0% 2%
Bachelor’s degree 1% Bachelor’s degree 3%
1% 3%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 0%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 0%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
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6. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? All Industries
Administrative/secretarial Salaried individual contributor/
professional
No minimum 3% No minimum 1%
education 2% education 1%
requirements 2% requirements 1%
72% 8%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
65% 7%
equivalent only equivalent only
56% 5%
Specific postsecondary 8% Specific postsecondary 8%
certificate/ Current (n = 4,200) certificate/ Current (n = 4,083)
9% 7%
credential(s) only 11% Recent (n = 3,755) credential(s) only 6% Recent (n = 3,778)
12% Future (n = 3,937) 14% Future (n = 3,895)
Associate’s degree 14% Associate’s degree 13%
21% 12%
5% 65%
Bachelor’s degree 9% Bachelor’s degree 67%
9% 71%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 4%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 5%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 5%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
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7. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? All Industries
Management Executive (e.g., CEO, CFO, VP)
No minimum 1% No minimum 1%
education 1% education 1%
requirements 1% requirements 1%
9% 4%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
7% 3%
equivalent only equivalent only
5% 2%
Specific postsecondary 3% Specific postsecondary 1%
certificate/ 2% Current (n = 4,257) certificate/ 1% Current (n = 4,107)
credential(s) only 2% credential(s) only 1%
Recent (n = 3,764) Recent (n = 3,312)
5% Future (n = 3,990) 1% Future (n = 3,736)
Associate’s degree 5% Associate’s degree 1%
5% 2%
72% 55%
Bachelor’s degree 71% Bachelor’s degree 52%
72% 46%
Advanced degree 9% Advanced degree 38%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 13% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 42%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 15% .D., M.D., J.D.) 48%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
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8. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Construction, Mining, Oil and Gas
Labor, low-skilled Labor, skilled
No minimum 46% No minimum 19%
education 42% education 19%
requirements 38% requirements 17%
52% 50%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
56% 51%
equivalent only equivalent only
56% 44%
Specific postsecondary 2% Specific postsecondary 27%
certificate/ 2% certificate/ 25%
credential(s) only 4% credential(s) only 32%
0% Current (n = 387) 3% Current (n = 415)
Associate’s degree 0% Associate’s degree 4%
Recent (n = 363) Recent (n = 387)
1% 5%
Future (n = 375) Future (n = 398)
0% 1%
Bachelor’s degree 0% Bachelor’s degree 2%
1% 2%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 0%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 0%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
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9. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Construction, Mining, Oil and Gas
Administrative/secretarial Salaried individual contributor/
professional
No minimum 5% No minimum 1%
education 5% education 1%
requirements 4% requirements 1%
74% 9%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
67% 8%
equivalent only equivalent only
58% 6%
Specific postsecondary 9% Specific postsecondary 8%
certificate/ 10% Current (n = 437) certificate/ 6% Current (n = 420)
credential(s) only 13% credential(s) only 5%
Recent (n = 400) Recent (n = 379)
9% Future (n = 414) 12% Future (n = 394)
Associate’s degree 13% Associate’s degree 11%
18% 13%
3% 67%
Bachelor’s degree 5% Bachelor’s degree 71%
7% 74%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 2%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 1% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 2%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 2%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
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10. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Construction, Mining, Oil and Gas
Management Executive (e.g., CEO, CFO, VP)
No minimum 2% No minimum 1%
education 1% education 1%
requirements 1% requirements 0%
10% 4%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
10% 4%
equivalent only equivalent only
5% 2%
Specific postsecondary 6% Specific postsecondary 3%
certificate/ 4% Current (n = 439) certificate/ 3% Current (n = 424)
credential(s) only 3% credential(s) only 2%
Recent (n = 382) Recent (n = 348)
9% Future (n = 409) 3% Future (n = 381)
Associate’s degree 9% Associate’s degree 3%
7% 4%
69% 65%
Bachelor’s degree 70% Bachelor’s degree 64%
75% 60%
Advanced degree 4% Advanced degree 24%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 6% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 26%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 8% .D., M.D., J.D.) 31%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
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11. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Federal Government
Labor, low-skilled Labor, skilled
No minimum 27% No minimum 11%
education 24% education 8%
requirements 21% requirements 6%
70% 52%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
71% 54%
equivalent only equivalent only
70% 52%
Specific postsecondary 0% Specific postsecondary 28%
certificate/ 1% certificate/ 26%
credential(s) only 4% credential(s) only 27%
1% Current (n = 207) 5% Current (n = 210)
Associate’s degree 2% Associate’s degree 7%
Recent (n = 178) Recent (n = 183)
4% 7%
Future (n = 179) Future (n = 187)
1% 3%
Bachelor’s degree 1% Bachelor’s degree 6%
1% 7%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 0%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 0%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
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12. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Federal Government
Administrative/secretarial Salaried individual contributor/
professional
No minimum 10% No minimum 4%
education 8% education 3%
requirements 6% requirements 2%
66% 8%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
61% 7%
equivalent only equivalent only
52% 4%
Specific postsecondary 8% Specific postsecondary 7%
certificate/ 7% Current (n = 262) certificate/ 7% Current (n = 254)
credential(s) only 8% credential(s) only 7%
Recent (n = 223) Recent (n = 229)
11% Future (n = 229) 9% Future (n = 231)
Associate’s degree 15% Associate’s degree 9%
22% 10%
5% 64%
Bachelor’s degree 10% Bachelor’s degree 65%
10% 64%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 7%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 10%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 1% .D., M.D., J.D.) 13%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
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13. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Federal Government
Management Executive (e.g., CEO, CFO, VP)
No minimum 7% No minimum 6%
education 5% education 5%
requirements 4% requirements 4%
14% 8%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
11% 6%
equivalent only equivalent only
9% 4%
Specific postsecondary 3% Specific postsecondary 2%
certificate/ 2% Current (n = 265) certificate/ 1% Current (n = 253)
credential(s) only 3% credential(s) only 2%
Recent (n = 226) Recent (n = 208)
3% Future (n = 235) 0% Future (n = 220)
Associate’s degree 3% Associate’s degree 0%
3% 2%
57% 38%
Bachelor’s degree 56% Bachelor’s degree 37%
55% 34%
Advanced degree 16% Advanced degree 47%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 24% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 50%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 26% .D., M.D., J.D.) 55%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
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14. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Finance
Labor, low-skilled Labor, skilled
No minimum 20% No minimum 9%
education 15% education 6%
requirements 20% requirements 8%
78% 66%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
81% 68%
equivalent only equivalent only
77% 57%
Specific postsecondary 1% Specific postsecondary 17%
certificate/ 1% certificate/ 16%
credential(s) only 2% credential(s) only 22%
1% Current (n = 210) 5% Current (n = 190)
Associate’s degree 2% Associate’s degree 7%
Recent (n = 178) Recent (n = 169)
2% 7%
Future (n = 189) Future (n = 178)
0% 3%
Bachelor’s degree 1% Bachelor’s degree 4%
0% 5%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 0%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 0%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
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15. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Finance
Administrative/secretarial Salaried individual contributor/
professional
No minimum 4% No minimum 1%
education 2% education 0%
requirements 3% requirements 1%
76% 18%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
70% 15%
equivalent only equivalent only
64% 12%
Specific postsecondary 4% Specific postsecondary 5%
certificate/ 6% Current (n = 449) certificate/ 5% Current (n = 422)
credential(s) only 7% credential(s) only 5%
Recent (n = 416) Recent (n = 385)
10% Future (n = 425) 12% Future (n = 403)
Associate’s degree 12% Associate’s degree 13%
17% 14%
5% 60%
Bachelor’s degree 10% Bachelor’s degree 63%
10% 65%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 3%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 3%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 3%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
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16. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Finance
Management Executive (e.g., CEO, CFO, VP)
No minimum 1% No minimum 1%
education 0% education 0%
requirements 1% requirements 1%
17% 8%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
12% 5%
equivalent only equivalent only
9% 4%
Specific postsecondary 3% Specific postsecondary 0%
certificate/ 2% Current (n = 453) certificate/ 1% Current (n = 449)
credential(s) only 1% credential(s) only 0%
Recent (n = 406) Recent (n = 354)
6% Future (n = 432) 1% Future (n = 414)
Associate’s degree 6% Associate’s degree 1%
7% 1%
68% 60%
Bachelor’s degree 69% Bachelor’s degree 59%
73% 57%
Advanced degree 5% Advanced degree 31%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 10% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 34%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 9% .D., M.D., J.D.) 36%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
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17. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Health
Labor, low-skilled Labor, skilled
No minimum 20% No minimum 2%
education 19% education 2%
requirements 16% requirements 2%
78% 59%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
78% 60%
equivalent only equivalent only
79% 51%
Specific postsecondary 2% Specific postsecondary 33%
certificate/ 2% certificate/ 33%
credential(s) only 3% credential(s) only 38%
0% Current (n = 460) 4% Current (n = 448)
Associate’s degree 1% Associate’s degree 4%
Recent (n = 425) Recent (n = 421)
1% 7%
Future (n = 436) Future (n = 435)
0% 2%
Bachelor’s degree 0% Bachelor’s degree 2%
1% 3%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 0%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 0%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
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18. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Health
Administrative/secretarial Salaried individual contributor/
professional
No minimum 1% No minimum 0%
education 1% education 0%
requirements 1% requirements 0%
77% 1%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
71% 2%
equivalent only equivalent only
59% 1%
Current (n = 536)
Specific postsecondary 10% Current (n = 537) Specific postsecondary 14%
certificate/ 10% certificate/ 13% Recent (n = 519)
credential(s) only 14% Recent (n = 503) credential(s) only 10% Future (n = 525)
Future (n = 516)
10% 32%
Associate’s degree 13% Associate’s degree 30%
20% 22%
2% 49%
Bachelor’s degree 5% Bachelor’s degree 49%
5% 61%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 4%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 5%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 1% .D., M.D., J.D.) 6%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
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19. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Health
Management Executive (e.g., CEO, CFO, VP)
No minimum 0% No minimum 0%
education 0% education 0%
requirements 0% requirements 0%
4% 1%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
4% 0%
equivalent only equivalent only
2% 0%
Specific postsecondary 4% Specific postsecondary 1%
certificate/ 2% Current (n = 539) certificate/ 1% Current (n = 536)
credential(s) only 2% credential(s) only 0%
Recent (n = 500) Recent (n = 451)
7% Future (n = 523) 1% Future (n = 508)
Associate’s degree 8% Associate’s degree 1%
4% 0%
75% 38%
Bachelor’s degree 73% Bachelor’s degree 34%
71% 29%
Advanced degree 10% Advanced degree 59%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 14% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 64%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 20% .D., M.D., J.D.) 69%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
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20. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? High-tech
Labor, low-skilled Labor, skilled
No minimum 21% No minimum 6%
education 18% education 4%
requirements 15% requirements 4%
75% 51%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
78% 47%
equivalent only equivalent only
77% 44%
Specific postsecondary 2% Specific postsecondary 20%
certificate/ 3% certificate/ 22%
credential(s) only 4% credential(s) only 25%
1% Current (n = 195) 17%
Associate’s degree 1% Associate’s degree 18%
Recent (n = 160)
3% 19%
Future (n = 170)
1% 7% Current (n = 245)
Bachelor’s degree 2% Bachelor’s degree 8%
Recent (n = 219)
1% 8%
Future (n = 222)
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 0%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 0%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
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21. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? High-tech
Administrative/secretarial Salaried individual contributor/
professional
No minimum 3% No minimum 2%
education 2% education 1%
requirements 2% requirements 2%
65% 7%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
56% 5%
equivalent only equivalent only
50% 4%
Specific postsecondary 5% Specific postsecondary 5%
certificate/ Current (n = 384) certificate/ Current (n = 389)
7% 4%
credential(s) only 7% Recent (n = 322) credential(s) only 3% Recent (n = 376)
16% Future (n = 362) 5% Future (n = 380)
Associate’s degree 17% Associate’s degree 9%
25% 7%
10% 79%
Bachelor’s degree 18% Bachelor’s degree 77%
17% 81%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 2%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 4%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 3%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
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22. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? High-tech
Management Executive (e.g., CEO, CFO, VP)
No minimum 1% No minimum 2%
education 1% education 1%
requirements 2% requirements 2%
5% 2%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
2% 2%
equivalent only equivalent only
2% 2%
Specific postsecondary 2% Specific postsecondary 1%
certificate/ 1% Current (n = 398) certificate/ 1% Current (n = 393)
credential(s) only 1% credential(s) only 1%
Recent (n = 357) Recent (n = 312)
2% Future (n = 376) 1% Future (n = 359)
Associate’s degree 3% Associate’s degree 1%
3% 2%
80% 63%
Bachelor’s degree 76% Bachelor’s degree 55%
77% 52%
Advanced degree 11% Advanced degree 32%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 17% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 40%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 14% .D., M.D., J.D.) 42%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
©SHRM 2012 22

23. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Manufacturing
Labor, low-skilled Labor, skilled
No minimum 26% No minimum 7%
education 22% education 5%
requirements 18% requirements 5%
73% 58%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
76% 57%
equivalent only equivalent only
78% 47%
Specific postsecondary 1% Specific postsecondary 28%
certificate/ 1% certificate/ 29%
credential(s) only 3% credential(s) only 35%
0% Current (n = 482) 6% Current (n = 494)
Associate’s degree 0% Associate’s degree 7%
Recent (n = 455) Recent (n = 461)
1% 11%
Future (n = 460) Future (n = 466)
0% 0%
Bachelor’s degree 0% Bachelor’s degree 2%
0% 2%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 0%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 0%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
©SHRM 2012 23

24. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Manufacturing
Administrative/secretarial Salaried individual contributor/
professional
No minimum 2% No minimum 0%
education 1% education 0%
requirements 2% requirements 0%
74% 9%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
63% 7%
equivalent only equivalent only
53% 4%
Specific postsecondary 7% Specific postsecondary 5%
certificate/ Current (n = 498) certificate/ Current (n = 497)
11% 7%
credential(s) only 12% Recent (n = 434) credential(s) only 5% Recent (n = 453)
14% Future (n = 464) 15% Future (n = 467)
Associate’s degree 17% Associate’s degree 12%
25% 11%
3% 70%
Bachelor’s degree 8% Bachelor’s degree 73%
8% 77%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 0%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 1%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 2%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
©SHRM 2012 24

25. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Manufacturing
Management Executive (e.g., CEO, CFO, VP)
No minimum 1% No minimum 0%
education 1% education 1%
requirements 1% requirements 1%
9% 4%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
6% 3%
equivalent only equivalent only
4% 2%
Specific postsecondary 4% Specific postsecondary 1%
certificate/ 3% Current (n = 501) certificate/ 2% Current (n = 476)
credential(s) only 3% credential(s) only 2%
Recent (n = 443) Recent (n = 371)
8% Future (n = 468) 2% Future (n = 418)
Associate’s degree 7% Associate’s degree 2%
5% 1%
73% 59%
Bachelor’s degree 74% Bachelor’s degree 55%
75% 49%
Advanced degree 6% Advanced degree 34%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 9% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 38%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 13% .D., M.D., J.D.) 46%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
©SHRM 2012 25

26. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Non-professional Services
Labor, low-skilled Labor, skilled
No minimum 48% No minimum 11%
education 46% education 9%
requirements 42% requirements 9%
50% 59%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
52% 64%
equivalent only equivalent only
54% 54%
Specific postsecondary 1% Specific postsecondary 25%
certificate/ 1% certificate/ 21%
credential(s) only 2% credential(s) only 28%
0% Current (n = 274) 2% Current (n = 244)
Associate’s degree 0% Associate’s degree 4%
Recent (n = 254) Recent (n = 225)
1% 7%
Future (n = 256) Future (n = 235)
1% 2%
Bachelor’s degree 0% Bachelor’s degree 3%
0% 2%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 0%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 0%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
©SHRM 2012 26

27. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Non-professional Services
Administrative/secretarial Salaried individual contributor/
professional
No minimum 3% No minimum 1%
education 2% education 2%
requirements 1% requirements 2%
72% 17%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
67% 15%
equivalent only equivalent only
53% 13%
Specific postsecondary 8% Specific postsecondary 12%
certificate/ Current (n = 315) certificate/ Current (n = 276)
9% 10%
credential(s) only 14% Recent (n = 277) credential(s) only 8% Recent (n = 247)
12% Future (n = 290) 16% Future (n = 264)
Associate’s degree 15% Associate’s degree 14%
21% 13%
4% 53%
Bachelor’s degree 7% Bachelor’s degree 58%
11% 62%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 0%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 2%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 2%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
©SHRM 2012 27

28. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Non-professional Services
Management Executive (e.g., CEO, CFO, VP)
No minimum 2% No minimum 1%
education 1% education 1%
requirements 1% requirements 1%
17% 8%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
15% 7%
equivalent only equivalent only
13% 5%
Specific postsecondary 4% Specific postsecondary 3%
certificate/ 4% Current (n = 323) certificate/ 3% Current (n = 303)
credential(s) only 3% credential(s) only 2%
Recent (n = 288) Recent (n = 243)
8% Future (n = 302) 2% Future (n = 276)
Associate’s degree 7% Associate’s degree 2%
5% 3%
65% 59%
Bachelor’s degree 69% Bachelor’s degree 62%
72% 51%
Advanced degree 4% Advanced degree 28%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 5% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 26%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 6% .D., M.D., J.D.) 38%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
©SHRM 2012 28

29. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Professional Services
Labor, low-skilled Labor, skilled
No minimum 18% No minimum 5%
education 16% education 4%
requirements 13% requirements 4%
77% 55%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
80% 54%
equivalent only equivalent only
78% 49%
Specific postsecondary 2% Specific postsecondary 25%
certificate/ 3% certificate/ 27%
credential(s) only 4% credential(s) only 27%
2% Current (n = 298) 8% Current (n = 318)
Associate’s degree 0% Associate’s degree 7%
Recent (n = 256) Recent (n = 287)
4% 12%
Future (n = 273) Future (n = 312)
1% 6%
Bachelor’s degree 1% Bachelor’s degree 8%
1% 8%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 0%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 0%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
©SHRM 2012 29

30. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Professional Services
Administrative/secretarial Salaried individual contributor/
professional
No minimum 4% No minimum 1%
education 2% education 0%
requirements 3% requirements 0%
67% 6%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
58% 4%
equivalent only equivalent only
53% 2%
Specific postsecondary 6% Specific postsecondary 7%
certificate/ Current (n = 587) certificate/ Current (n = 586)
7% 5%
credential(s) only 9% Recent (n = 521) credential(s) only 5% Recent (n = 550)
15% Future (n = 550) 6% Future (n = 562)
Associate’s degree 17% Associate’s degree 6%
21% 6%
9% 72%
Bachelor’s degree 17% Bachelor’s degree 75%
14% 77%
Advanced degree 0% Advanced degree 9%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 0% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 10%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 0% .D., M.D., J.D.) 10%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
©SHRM 2012 30

31. What is your organization’s minimum education level for full-time equivalent
employees? Professional Services
Management Executive (e.g., CEO, CFO, VP)
No minimum 1% No minimum 1%
education 1% education 1%
requirements 1% requirements 0%
6% 2%
High school diploma or High school diploma or
4% 1%
equivalent only equivalent only
2% 1%
Specific postsecondary 2% Specific postsecondary 1%
certificate/ 2% Current (n = 600) certificate/ 1% Current (n = 577)
credential(s) only 1% credential(s) only 1%
Recent (n = 513) Recent (n = 453)
2% Future (n = 559) 1% Future (n = 524)
Associate’s degree 2% Associate’s degree 1%
2% 0%
76% 56%
Bachelor’s degree 73% Bachelor’s degree 55%
71% 47%
Advanced degree 13% Advanced degree 40%
(e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 19% (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph 42%
.D., M.D., J.D.) 23% .D., M.D., J.D.) 50%
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Respondents who answered "Not applicable, no jobs in this category" were excluded from
this analysis. “Current” refers to current full-time equivalent employees; “Recent” refers to recently hired full-time equivalent employees; and
“Future” refers to forecasted needs for future workforce (next 3-5 years).
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Minimum Education Requirements
©SHRM 2012 31