Growing a Talent Dividend

While public officials at all levels of government continue to consider a myriad of short-term economic recovery solutions, our President and CEO Carol Coletta, together with regional PNC Financial Services president Beth Wnuck, proposes a more patient and lasting response this week on Forbes.com. 

Bolstered by our Talent Dividend research, they call for public investment in developing an educated workforce as an essential economic policy strategy. Nearly 60% of a city's success, as measured by per capita income, is explained by the percentage of college graduates in a city's population. An increase in college attainment rates by one percentage point in the largest 51 metro areas yields $124 billion in additional personal income each year for the nation. 

They start by pointing out the obvious: there is nothing "traditional" about the traditional college student. Employers, public education institutions and government leaders lag far behind in adapting to the nearly 75% of college students today who are adults balancing work and school. A distinct shift in perception is required to consider the long-term public value of a college degree, which in the U.S. is still considered to be a private good. 

  

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