Setting Targets. Targeting Success.

TalentFirst monitors an array of indicators that reveal the educational, employment, and labor force metrics of our region. This dashboard helps us to clearly understand the profile of our areas and to precisely target our catalyzing activities. 

  • TBD

    Kindergarten Readiness

    TalentFirst is advocating for the widespread adoption of the Kindergarten Entry Observation (KEO). These data will be available Fall 2018.

  • 47.1%

    3rd Grade Reading Proficiency

    Percent of 3rd graders proficient/advanced on M-STEP for English Language Arts

    10 ISDs, 2022-23
    Source: MiSchoolData

  • 38.8%

    8th Grade Math Proficiency

    Percent of 8th graders proficient/advanced on PSAT for Mathematics

    10 ISDs, 2020-21
    Source: MiSchoolData

  • 32.6%

    College Ready

    Percent of 11th graders scoring at or above "college ready" level on SAT

    10 ISDs, 2020-21
    Source: MiSchoolData

  • 82.2%

    High School Graduation Rate

    Percent of students in a cohort graduating on time

    10 ISDs, 2021-22
    Source: MiSchoolData

  • TBD

    College Experience in High School

    Percent of students in a cohort participating in AP, IB, early college, or dual enrollment experiences

    Data identification and collection in progress

  • 35,841

    WorkKeys Obtained

    Number of NCRCs awarded

    West Michigan, 1/1/2006 - 07/31/2019
    Source: WorkReadyCommunities.org/MI

  • 61.5%

    Student Engagement

    Percent of 11th graders who are engaged by their schoolwork (index of four questions on MiPHY survey)

    7 WM Counties, 2015-16
    Source: MiPHY Survey

  • 78.6%

    Attendance

    Percent of West Michigan students who are not chronically absent (a student is chronically absent if they miss 10% or more school days)

    10 ISDs, 2020-21
    Source: MiSchoolData

  • 48.6%

    Students Considered Economically Disadvantaged

    Percent of students eligible for free/reduced price lunch

    10 ISDs, 2019-20
    Source: MiSchoolData

  • 81.2%

    Student Mental Wellness

    Percent of 11th graders who did not report being mentally unwell (index of five questions on MiPHY survey)

    7 WM Counties, 2015-16
    Source: MiPHY Survey

  • 65.6%

    Students Applying to Post-Secondary Education

    Percent of West Michigan high school seniors who complete a FAFSA application

    West Michigan, 2018
    Source: Michigan College Access Network

  • 51.9%

    Student Enrollment

    Percentage of students enrolled in post-secondary education within 6 months of high school graduation

    10 ISDs, 2019-20
    Source: MiSchoolData

  • TBD

    Student Engagement

    Data identification and collection in progress

  • 1,465

    Certificates / Credentials

    The number of pre-Bachelor's and post-Bachelor's certificates awarded by 2- and 4-year post-secondary institutions in West Michigan

    West Michigan, 2018-19

    Source: National Center for Education Statistics

  • 39.4%

    Enrollment (Full-time v. Part-time)

    Percentage of students who have gained 24 credits within 12 months of enrollment

    10 ISDs, 2017-18
    Source: MiSchoolData

  • 82.7%

    Retention, Year 1 to Year 2

    Percent of first year post-secondary students who immediately continue into their second year (or who earn a degree or certificate, continuing beyond this or not)

    10 ISDs, 2019-20
    Source: MiSchoolData

  • 60.0%

    Transfers (Community College to Four-Year Institutions)

    Percentage of West Michigan public community college transfer students who enroll at a 4-year institution in Michigan

    West Michigan, 2018-19
    Source: MiSchoolData

  • 44.5%

    Student Success Rate (4-year)

    Four-Year Comprehensive Success Rate for four West Michigan community colleges

    West Michigan, 2015-16 cohort
    Source: Center for Educational Performance and Information

  • 74.7%

    Student Success Rate (6-year)

    Six-Year Comprehensive Success Rate for two West Michigan public post-secondary institutions

    West Michigan, 2013-14 cohort
    Source: Center for Educational Performance and Information

  • 21.4%

    Graduation Rate (Associate's Degree)

    Percent of students graduating from four West Michigan community colleges in 150% of normal time

    West Michigan, 2016 cohort
    Source: National Center for Education Statistics

  • 63.4%

    Graduation Rate (Bachelor's Degree)

    Percent of students graduating from nine West Michigan post-secondary institutions in 150% of normal time

    West Michigan, 2013 cohort
    Source: National Center for Education Statistics

  • 40.2%

    Percent of total Associate's and Bachelor's degrees awarded that are in STEM programs

    Percent of total Associate's and Bachelor's degrees awarded that are in STEM programs

    West Michigan, 2016-17
    Source: National Center for Education Statistics

  • TBD

    Placement Rate after Graduation

    TalentFirst is advocating for connecting post-secondary enrollment with UI wage information to produce accurate data around post-secondary outcomes

  • $47,231

    Per Capita Income

    Total income divided by all residents in the area

    West Michigan, 2019
    Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

  • 34.7%

    Knowledge Sector Employment

    Percent of total employed individuals who are employed in management, business, science, and arts occupations

    West Michigan, 2020
    Source: American Community Survey

  • 667,529

    Total Jobs

    1.7%    Agriculture
    5.3%    Energy and Construction
    14.4%  Health Care
    1.0%    Information Technology
    23.9%  Manufacturing
    19.7%  Professional Services
    24.0%  Retail and Hospitality Services

    West Michigan, 2019
    Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages

  • 1.1%

    Over-the-Year Change in Employment

    -3.1%   Agriculture
    +3.2%   Energy and Construction
    +1.1%   Health Care
    -0.8%   Information Technology
    +2.2%   Manufacturing
    +1.6%   Professional Services
    +0.3%   Retail and Hospitality Services

    West Michigan, 2019
    Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages

  • $47,912

    Average Annual Wage Paid

    $35,093   Agriculture
    $63,547   Energy and Construction
    $51,971   Health Care
    $56,492   Information Technology
    $61,208   Manufacturing
    $47,329   Professional Services
    $26,818   Retail and Hospitality Services

    West Michigan, 2019
    Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages

  • 23.6%

    Hard-to-Fill Job Vacancies

    Percent of job advertisements which have been posted for 90 days or longer

    West Michigan, December 2020
    Source: Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. (EMSI)

  • 1,613,924

    (+0.5%)

    Total Population and Population Change

    Total number of residents, and the percent change since last year

    West Michigan, 2019
    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates

  • +7,908

    Net Migration, 2017 to 2018

    Net number of individuals who moved to the region over the past year

    West Michigan, 2018
    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates

  • 7.3%

    Unemployment Rate Gap Between Non-white and White Residents

    Unemployment Rate

    4.3% White (Non-Hispanic)
    11.5% Black or African American
    5.6% Hispanic / Latino Origin

    West Michigan, 2021
    Source: American Community Survey

  • -$16,001

    Per Capita Income Gap Between Non-white and White Residents

    $33,828  White (Non-Hispanic)
    $17,826  Black or African American
    $18,230  Hispanic / Latino Origin

    West Michigan, 2020
    Source: American Community Survey

  • -9.9%

    Adults with Education Beyond High School Gap Between Non-white and White Residents

    62.8%  White (Non-Hispanic)
    52.9%  Black or African American
    36.0%  Hispanic / Latino Origin

    West Michigan, 2020
    Source: American Community Survey

  • 65.2%

    Households above ALICE Threshold

    Percentage of households above the United Way's ALICE Survival Budget Threshold

    West Michigan, 2021
    Source: United Way, ALICE Report

  • 0.0%

    Unemployment Rate Gap Between Veterans and Non-Veterans

    The gap between the unemployment rate for a veteran of the Armed Forces compared to non-veterans (positive value = higher unemployment for veterans)

    West Michigan, 2020
    Source: American Community Survey

  • 61.9%

    Post-Secondary Education / Credential

    Percent of adults with education beyond a high school diploma

    West Michigan, 2021
    Source: American Community Survey

  • 4.4%

    Disconnected Youth, Ages 16-19

    Percent of youth (ages 16-19) who are neither working or enrolled in education

    West Michigan, 2020
    Source: American Community Survey

  • 64.4%

    Labor Force Participation Rate (16+)

    Percent of adults who are either working or actively seeking employment divided by the total civilian non-institutional population

    West Michigan, 2021
    Source: American Community Survey

  • 617

    Employers Hiring Returning Citizens

    Number of West Michigan employers who are actively hiring individuals with criminal histories

    West Michigan, 2020
    Source: TalentFirst