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Almost every state in America is struggling to cope with the budget cuts in the higher education sector resulting in increased tuition fee. The state of Washington is no exception. Universities and colleges there are facing severe budget cuts and students are forced to take on the burden of significant hike in tuition fees.

Ironically, unemployment has resulted in increased interest in higher education at a time when colleges are universities are scaling back on their student intake. Especially in the two-year colleges, offering certification and job training programs, or even at the four year degree programs, there is more demand than supply. It has become an almost impossible task for legislators to try and balance the realities of the budget. They are forced to work with few resources and serve a large number of students.

It is vital trying to integrate the economic needs to the higher education system in order to streamline the process. Enrolments in programs have to be emphasized by prioritizing dollars provided by the State. This has to be done especially for programs such as engineering and nursing which will prepare students for a definite job and livelihood.

It is essential also to focus on workers who are unemployed and give them a chance to enhance their skills in order to help the State sustain amidst competition. This can be done by roping in resources for community college programs that in fields that are in demand thereby expanding the retraining program for workers.

Unemployment benefits can be offered to unemployed workers during the training period of new jobs as a part of training benefit program. The program can also be extended to the disabled workers, low income workers and those who have honourably retired from military.

Easier access to customized training programs will help retain jobs. This will also ensure that middle class workers receive on job training. It is necessary for students to be educated to higher levels. This can be made possible only by coordinating state scholarship programs and grant programs under a focused “Opportunity Grants” brand and streamlining the current programs offering financial aid.

Programs such as Advanced Placement courses, College in the High School and Running Start are potent enough to kick start opportunities for higher education for the younger students. Associate transfer degrees must be offered even by technical colleges.

It is also a good idea helping and providing the right means for more number of students to continue with post-secondary education by initiating a state loan program offered at low interest rate. It is necessary to transform the deliverance of education by serving more students even as you save money. Improvements must be initiated in shared technology usage including web conferencing, library resources, financial aid portals and eLearning. Especially considering the budget challenges faced by Washington, it is the duty of the field of higher education to work towards fighting the economic challenge and open up more opportunities for workers.

The role of higher education is thus critical in addressing the issues rising from economic crisis. Enhanced access to education, improved financial aid and access to shared technologically resources can solve the problem to a certain extent.