Young adults are leaving Pennsylvania and migrating to different states, according to the first round of Census 2000 information released last Friday.

Between 1995 and 1997, Pennsylvania had a net loss of 15,000 persons with technical, sales and administrative support expertise in addition to 13,500 adults with professional, executive and managerial occupational skills.

"Consequently, Pennsylvania is both losing its young, highly educated population and gaining low educational attainment migrants," according to a news release from the Pennsylvania State Data Center.

Even though Pennsylvania boasts a large number of reputable universities and technical institutions of higher learning, the census results predict the trend of young graduates leaving the state will continue into the 21st century.

"The best thing we can do is to continue working to attract high tech industry to Pennsylvania," said Don Houser Jr., spokesman for Sen. Jake Corman, R-Centre.

State Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Centre, also believes that technology-based occupations will keep students in Pennsylvania.

"They (technology jobs) are jobs that will ride the wave of the future," Herman said.

The administration of Gov. Tom Ridge has been working this year to initiate and develop programs that would attract people to move to Pennsylvania and encourage current residents to stay in the state, Houser said.

"Universities are working to develop majors that pertain to Pennsylvania businesses and curricula that fit their needs," Houser said. "The programs we're starting are beginning to help."

In his budget address last month, Gov. Ridge unveiled his "Brain Gain" program.

"The key to successful state economic development is matching job creation with the size and skills of the labor force population," he said.

The Brain Gain program hopes to conquer Pennsylvania migration known as "brain drain."

During the last few years, the Ridge administration also started a science and technology scholars program that gives grant money to students gifted in the sciences if they agree to attend college and work in Pennsylvania after graduation.

In addition to these programs, Gov. Ridge sent packets of information to Pennsylvania college graduates that live and work in other states. The administration believes that these "marketing efforts" will encourage students to return to Pennsylvania.

"The best way to keep our youngest and brightest grads in Pennsylvania is to have good jobs in the commonwealth," Herman said.

The governor and legislators are conscious of the trend and are working to give adequate attention to this concern.

State taxes, including sales tax, income tax and business tax, are notably lower than other states, Houser said, and will hopefully attract potential residents.

"The legislature has supported seven consecutive years of reducing taxes in order to stimulate economic growth," Herman said.

The quality of life in Pennsylvania is another important attraction to the state, Houser said.

"Our quality of living is definitely a factor. It's a quality of life that is pretty high," Houser said. He added that Pennsylvania boasts a climate and terrain for everyone, such as mountains, plains, water, snow, heat, and urban and rural areas.

"We have a lot to offer in Pennsylvania," Houser said.