TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX) – Students in Idaho are more likely to work in the state after graduating from college rather than finding work elsewhere, according to research conducted by the Idaho Department of Labor.

The research found that 77 percent of in-state students who graduated from an Idaho college or university between 2010 and 2014 were working in Idaho compared with 39 percent of out-of-state students.

The other 23 percent of in-state graduates either left to work in another state, took a federal government job, joined the military or were self-employed.

“Access to a skilled workforce is the number one challenge Idaho businesses face,” Department of Labor Director Ken Edmunds said in a news release about the research.

“Retaining a pipeline of college graduates from Idaho, other states and abroad is critical for bridging existing skills gaps and providing employers with the talent they need to compete and thrive in today’s economy.”

The research included data from the Educational Analytics System of Idaho.

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