An effort underway in Southern Indiana seeks to produce 10,000 college or technical degrees by 2020.
The region has more than 40,000 adult workers with unfinished degrees.
Bridgett Strickler heads a new initiative called Education Matters Southern Indiana.
"We know that working adults need an efficient path to a degree or certification because they're balancing work, life, and family obligations, Strickler tells WKU Public Radio. "What we hope to do is bust the barriers for those adults by connecting them with opportunities for financial aid, scholarships, and programs they may not know about."
Research shows that only 25% of residents living in Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, and Washington counties has an associate’s, bachelor’s, or professional degree compared to 38% nationally.
Strickler says by increasing the number of degree-holders, southern Indiana will have a better workforce and economy.
