Here’s a way to expand region’s talent pool

Ask CEOs about their biggest challenge and nine out of 10 will say it is finding the right talent. Business leaders — especially those in advanced manufacturing and the digital economy — plainly state that there is not enough talent and that new graduates entering the workforce aren’t prepared for their unique challenges. Add to that the even greater talent shortage forecast for the seven-county Milwaukee 7 region: Over the 2017 to 2027 period, labor market data experts project a growth of 39,000 jobs while the working age population is projected to decline by 66,000. This will create a workforce gap of 105,000.

Now, consider that there are more than 176,000 post-secondary students enrolled in our region, with about 30,000 of those students entering the workforce each year. These individuals represent personal and collective futures that can profoundly impact Wisconsin. Despite the available talent, employers are still telling us there is a mismatch.

What we have is a remarkable — and solvable — misalignment. To that end, we have created a first-of-its-kind partnership to leverage resources and coordinate efforts of the two- and four-year colleges and universities in the region.

The Higher Education Regional Alliance (HERA) has a bold goal to significantly reduce skills and talent gaps in southeastern Wisconsin by increasing the employment rates and number of post-secondary graduates in the region. We aim to grow our talent base in powerful and collaborative ways and attract and retain talent to strengthen employers. We will accomplish this through collaboration on college completion strategies, better alignment of academic programs and workforce needs, and innovative curriculum and programs.

In an unprecedented move, 18 higher education institutions — representing more than 96% of post-secondary students in the region — are committed to HERA, including: Alverno College, Bryant & Stratton College, Cardinal Stritch University, Carroll University, Carthage College, Concordia University, Gateway Technical College, Herzing University, Marquette University, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Mount Mary University, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Parkside, UW-Whitewater, Waukesha County Technical College, and Wisconsin Lutheran College.

When we add in the membership from economic development, employment, and community organizations (including the Greater Milwaukee Committee, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce-M7and Employ Milwaukee) and the organic, regional K12-focus from the Strive Networks (Higher Expectations in Racine and Milwaukee Succeeds), we can begin to see how, together, we can expand an educated, innovative, nimble talent system to meet 21st century workforce needs and improve the quality of life in the economic regional hub of this state.

HERA offers great promise to supply employers with talent while simultaneously advancing our communities’ future success.

Mark Mone is chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and chair of the Higher Education Regional Alliance.