Comments on: Retooling Michigan’s Workforce

By: Lou Glazer

Lou Glazer — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:25:25 +0000

David, Good question. My take is that our terrific system of public colleges and universities are the state’s best assets in building a knowledge-based economy. Both for preparing students and creating – particularly at our research universities – new knowledge. There is no guarantees that graduates will stay here or that new knowledge created here will be commercialized here.Talent and knowledge are mobile. But the chances both will stay is far greater if they are already here than at a college or university elsewhere.

But even for talent and ideas that go elsewhere, there is a strong case for investing in our colleges and universities. Higher education is a major industry in and of itself. A big and growing employer and relatively high wage. So every student who attends a Michigan college is adding to the Michigan economy. Think of them as four year tourists. And the research done by Michigan universities adds more than a billion dollars to the Michigan economy each year. So for us the case is clear: investing in higher education should be a state priority.

By: David Waymire

David Waymire — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:34:06 +0000

I’d like to see more info on how Chris Stark collected his data. Some univerisites, particularly those on the west side of the state, indicate they are retaining a significant portion of their students in the state. The collapse of the auto economy may mean Mr. Stark is seeing more people with a “stark” view of their future.

Regardless, it is time for some institution or group to take control of the retention issue — particularly when there is evidence that more than a few employers are still seeking college grads in our state.

By: Matthew Neagle

Matthew Neagle — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:53:50 +0000

This is a very good question David. The way the URC conducted their study is to look at what is happening now (including losted alumni) versus if the universities were not present. So, effectively, they have factored that into their current assessment. However, your question is still valid. The question is what would be the economic impact, in addition to what they have determined, if we were to keep more alumni in Michigan.

On a related note, their most recent study indicates that approximately 42% of URC living alumni (for all years) are living outside of the state. It is half the 80% current rate that Chris Stark from Kelly Services cited – so alumni are living faster than historical standards. We would have assumed this but the statistics are tangible and compelling.

By: David Cherry

David Cherry — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:24:57 +0000

I wonder, when you account of the loss of graduates, what the adjusted return on our investment is with universities. Would we be better off recruiting talent through other strategies, besides investing in education?