The Midwest is known for its solid work ethic, and the Madison Region is no exception. This is reflected in our regional unemployment rate (4%), lower than both the state and national averages (4.7% and 4.6%, respectively).
The Madison Region's skilled, flexible workforce is constantly replenished and strengthened by our educational and training facilities. Our 18-24 year old workforce has a higher than average Bachelor's degree attainment rate (10.7% for the region, 7.4% for the state and 7.8% nationally), and an associate's degree and partial college degree attainment rate that is substantially higher than the national rate (47.1% for the region, 38.5% nationally). Our 25 and older workforce boasts rates of high school graduation, associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees all higher than the national average.
Population trending shows the steady regional growth, with the major urban hub--Madison--increasing by roughly 60,000 in the past decade alone.
Finally, our transportation systems and commuter shed enable our dynamic workforce to effectively balance live, work and play options; businesses anywhere in the region can draw on this talented, able workforce to suit their needs, whatever the industry.
The Madison Region's skilled, flexible workforce is constantly replenished and strengthened by our educational and training facilities. Our 18-24 year old workforce has a higher than average Bachelor's degree attainment rate (10.7% for the region, 7.4% for the state and 7.8% nationally), and an associate's degree and partial college degree attainment rate that is substantially higher than the national rate (47.1% for the region, 38.5% nationally). Our 25 and older workforce boasts rates of high school graduation, associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees all higher than the national average.
Population trending shows the steady regional growth, with the major urban hub--Madison--increasing by roughly 60,000 in the past decade alone.
Finally, our transportation systems and commuter shed enable our dynamic workforce to effectively balance live, work and play options; businesses anywhere in the region can draw on this talented, able workforce to suit their needs, whatever the industry.
Second to none
The Region's innovative and strong working partnerships between our industry sectors and our 4-year, technical colleges, independent colleges and nationally top-ranked K-12 systems feed our workforce with programs like the Career Pathways model, designed to quickly grow a high tech workforce, or creative solutions like Waunakee High School's biotechnology apprenticeship program.
Our internationally-esteemed higher education facilities are renowned for their top ranks in education and grant monies, from the University Wisconsin to the South Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board's recent acquisition of a $5 million WIRED training initiative.
Additionally, the Madison Region's professional training facilities are literally second to none. The Fluno Center, located in beautiful downtown Madison, has consistently been top-ranked among professional training centers worldwide, and innovative programs like the UW-Madison's Entrepreneurial Boot Camp, the Weinert Center for Applied Ventures and the new UW Center for Nonprofits foster professional development and creative approaches to entrepreneurship and training that are world-famous.
Our internationally-esteemed higher education facilities are renowned for their top ranks in education and grant monies, from the University Wisconsin to the South Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board's recent acquisition of a $5 million WIRED training initiative.
Additionally, the Madison Region's professional training facilities are literally second to none. The Fluno Center, located in beautiful downtown Madison, has consistently been top-ranked among professional training centers worldwide, and innovative programs like the UW-Madison's Entrepreneurial Boot Camp, the Weinert Center for Applied Ventures and the new UW Center for Nonprofits foster professional development and creative approaches to entrepreneurship and training that are world-famous.
"Magnet for Brainpower"
"Madison...ranks as the U.S. metropolitan area with the strongest brainpower, according to a new Bizjournals study of the nation's 100 largest markets.
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The payoff is evident in recent economic statistics. Madison's per capita income of $38,993 is 13 percent higher than the national average, while its 2007 year-end unemployment rate of 3.3 percent was far better than the nation's 5.0 percent.
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Madison has become a powerful magnet for brainpower. Not only is it home to state government and the University of Wisconsin, it's an emerging biotechnology center. Three-quarters of Madison's adults have attended college, a proportion that no other U.S. market can match."
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The payoff is evident in recent economic statistics. Madison's per capita income of $38,993 is 13 percent higher than the national average, while its 2007 year-end unemployment rate of 3.3 percent was far better than the nation's 5.0 percent.
...
Madison has become a powerful magnet for brainpower. Not only is it home to state government and the University of Wisconsin, it's an emerging biotechnology center. Three-quarters of Madison's adults have attended college, a proportion that no other U.S. market can match."