Gordon Kacala: Education still the key

Wednesday, April 9, 2008 10:45 PM CDT

Throughout southeastern Wisconsin, there is significant interest in working together to solve regional economic development problems. This approach makes sense because many transportation, water quality and education issues, to name just a few, are ubiquitous across the area. Working together to identify solutions just makes sense.

Of particular interest throughout the region is education. Specifically, in this case, the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. Economic development interests across the region are especially interested in the issue of attracting, retaining and educating students in STEM disciplines to the benefit of employers.

To take a closer look at this problem, Marquette University and the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board developed a task force of people familiar with this issue to provide recommendations to the board. Gateway Technical College President Bryan Albrecht and University of Wisconsin-Parskide Dean of Community Engagement and Civic Learning Tom Schnaubelt were task force members. The report was released in late 2007.

About Racine County, the report said business and industry are increasingly calling for more highly trained workers. They are not only needed in the manufacturing environment, but research as well. Nestle Corp., Runzheimer Corp., SC Johnson and Modine Manufacturing are but a few examples where workers with a STEM background are absolutely necessary.

The task force recommendations are divided into foundational efforts and unique opportunities.

Foundational efforts

1. Increase the number of underrepresented groups (racial minorities and women) in the area’s STEM work force.

2. Retain more STEM graduates from the region.

3. Recruit STEM graduates from outside the region.

4. Start STEM education as early as possible in the educational system, the initial years of formal education.

Unique opportunities

1. Strengthen the relationship between STEM organizations that have limited knowledge of each other’s programs and offerings.

2. The Milwaukee 7 must market STEM education to underrepresented groups.

3. Make STEM education a priority in the region.

4. Have a research institute for the theory and practice of STEM entrepreneurial wealth creation.

Racine County educational institutions and policymakers must remain involved in the follow-up efforts to implement the recommendations set forth in the report. Education remains the No. 1 economic development issue in Racine County and for all of southeastern Wisconsin.

Gordon Kacala is executive director of the Racine County Economic Development Corp.

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