Since the 1970s, a bachelor's degree had become a more common requirement for employment in America's increasingly skill-based economy. While the U.S. college-age population increased by roughly 25 percent between 1970 and 2010, college enrollment grew by nearly 250 percent over the same period. In the coming decade, it is estimated that 60 percent of new jobs will require more than a high school diploma. One of the innovations that helped fulfill the growing demand for higher education was for-profit educational services companies. These companies primarily focused on employed learners who sought accredited degrees through programs that allowed flexibility around their work schedules. One of the most profitable companies in the for-profit education sector was Omega Group, best known for its largest subsidiary, the University of Waterloo.