Best And Worst States 2014: Where To Find Educated, Experienced Workers

The Top Five And The Bottom Five

Ask anyone starting and growing a solution provider business what their biggest challenge is and many will say attracting and retaining qualified workers tops the list.

This year's annual CRN Best States To Start A Solution Provider Business analysis included an examination of the states with the largest and smallest pools of educated, experienced workers. A key metric is the percent of a state's population over 25 with bachelor's degrees or higher (2012 average was 29 percent).

The criteria also included employment in IT jobs as a share of a state's private sector employment; employment in managerial, technical and professional jobs as a share of a state's private sector employment; and education levels of a state's migrants (from inside the U.S.) and immigrants (from outside the U.S.) The first five states have the highest scores (from No. 5 to No. 1), followed by the five states with the worst rankings (from No. 46 to No. 50).

Best States No. 5: Connecticut

In Connecticut 36.2 percent of the adult population age 25 or older has a bachelor's degree or higher. The Constitution State is also No. 4 in the share of the private sector employed in managerial, professional and technical occupations (35.3 percent), and it's No. 12 in IT occupations in non-IT industries as a share of private sector employment (2.1 percent).

Connecticut is No. 4 in the average education level of recent migrants from within the U.S. But the state ranks No. 31 in the average education level of recent immigrants from abroad.

Best States No. 4: Massachusetts

In Massachusetts 39 percent of the adult population age 25 or older has a bachelor's degree or higher. The Bay State is No. 1 in the share of the private sector employed in managerial, professional and technical occupations (38.6 percent), and it's No. 4 in IT occupations in non-IT industries as a share of private sector employment (2.9 percent).

Massachusetts is No. 2 in the average education level of recent migrants from within the U.S. But the state's overall education ranking is pulled down by its No. 37 ranking in the average education level of recent immigrants from abroad.

Best States No. 3: Virginia

In Virginia 34.7 percent of the adult population age 25 or older has a bachelor's degree or higher (34.7). The Old Dominion State is No. 3 in the share of the private sector employed in managerial, professional and technical occupations (35.3 percent), and it's No. 1 in IT occupations in non-IT industries as a share of private sector employment (3.3 percent).

Virginia is No. 5 in the average education level of recent migrants from within the U.S. And the state is ranked No. 12 in the average education level of recent immigrants from abroad.

Best States No. 2: Maryland

In Maryland 36.3 percent of the adult population age 25 or older has a bachelor's degree or higher (36.3). The Old Line State is No. 2 in the share of the private sector employed in managerial, professional and technical occupations (37.1 percent), and it's No. 5 in IT occupations in non-IT industries as a share of private sector employment (2.9 percent).

Virginia is No. 3 in the average education level of recent migrants from within the U.S. And the state is ranked No. 19 in the average education level of recent immigrants from abroad.

Best States No. 1: Vermont

People generally think of maple syrup and dairy products when it comes to Vermont. So it'll come as a surprise to many that the Green Mountain State ranks No. 1 in overall worker education and experience.

In Vermont 34.2 percent of the adult population age 25 or older has a bachelor's degree or higher. The state is No. 8 in the share of the private sector employed in managerial, professional and technical occupations (33.1 percent). But the state is No. 35 in IT occupations in non-IT industries as a share of private sector employment (1.4 percent).

A major reason Vermont does so well is because it's No. 1 in the average education level of recent migrants from within the U.S. Many professionals are apparently attracted to the Green Mountain State's quality of life. And the state is ranked No. 6 in the average education level of recent immigrants from abroad.

Worst States No. 46: Kentucky

In Kentucky 21 percent of the adult population age 25 or older has a bachelor's degree or higher. The Bluegrass State is No. 41 in the share of the private sector employed in managerial, professional and technical occupations (27.3) percent). And the state is No. 41 in IT occupations in non-IT industries as a share of private sector employment (1.3 percent).

Kentucky is No. 49 in the average education level of recent migrants from within the U.S. And the state is ranked No. 30 in the average education level of recent immigrants from abroad.

Worst States No. 47: Arkansas

In Arkansas 19.8 percent of the adult population age 25 or older has a bachelor's degree or higher. The Natural State is No. 46 in the share of the private sector employed in managerial, professional and technical occupations (26.6) percent). And the state is No. 42 in IT occupations in non-IT industries as a share of private sector employment (1.3 percent).

Arkansas is No. 50 in the average education level of recent migrants from within the U.S. And the state is ranked No. 20 in the average education level of recent immigrants from abroad.

Worst States No. 48: Nevada

In Nevada 22.2 percent of the adult population age 25 or older has a bachelor's degree or higher. The Silver State is No. 50 in the share of the private sector employed in managerial, professional and technical occupations (22.7 percent). And the state is No. 47 in IT occupations in non-IT industries as a share of private sector employment (1.1 percent).

Nevada is No. 45 in the average education level of recent migrants from within the U.S. And the state is ranked No. 40 in the average education level of recent immigrants from abroad.

Worst States No. 49: Louisiana

In Louisiana 21.4 percent of the adult population age 25 or older has a bachelor's degree or higher. The Pelican State is No. 47 in the share of the private sector employed in managerial, professional and technical occupations (26.5 percent). And the state is No. 48 in IT occupations in non-IT industries as a share of private sector employment (0.9 percent).

Louisiana is No. 46 in both the average education level of recent migrants from within the U.S. and in the average education level of recent immigrants from abroad.

Worst States No. 50: Mississippi

In Mississippi only 20.0 percent of the adult population age 25 or older has a bachelor's degree or higher. The Magnolia State is No. 49 in the share of the private sector employed in managerial, professional and technical occupations (25.5 percent). And the state is No. 50 in IT occupations in non-IT industries as a share of private sector employment (0.7 percent).

Louisiana is No. 44 in the average education level of recent migrants from within the U.S. and No. 49 in the average education level of recent immigrants from abroad.