The Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System (NSWERS) has released a new data brief focused on talent retention in Nebraska. This brief analyzes the factors influencing the retention of graduates from Nebraska’s public postsecondary institutions within the state’s workforce.
Since the 1970s, Nebraska has faced a persistent challenge known as “brain drain,” the out-of-state migration of highly educated individuals. This phenomenon is particularly concerning as it results in the loss of skilled workers, which can negatively impact local businesses and slow economic growth. Improving the retention of Nebraska’s college graduates is critical to maximizing the state’s return on investment in higher education.
The findings of the talent retention brief suggest targeted strategies that can enhance the retention of college graduates, particularly through the promotion of internships and work opportunities during college. This research seeks to inform new policies that can better support education and job growth in Nebraska, making the state a more attractive place for young professionals to live and work.
KEY FINDINGS:
- The critical role of social and economic ties in retaining graduates in Nebraska
- In-state students are twice as likely to stay and work in Nebraska compared to out-of-state students.
- Graduates who earn wages in Nebraska while attending college are more likely to stay and work in Nebraska after graduation compared to those who do not.
- The varying impact of different degree fields on retention rates
- Nearly 8 out of 10 manufacturing students stay and work in Nebraska after graduation compared to 5 out of 10 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) graduates.
- The significant influence of work experiences on graduates’ decisions to remain in the state
- Graduates who earn the equivalent of one to two summer internships of wages in Nebraska are about 5-10 percentage points more likely to stay and work in Nebraska compared to those with no earnings.
To view the data brief, visit:
https://insights.nswers.org/briefs/nswers-talent-retention-brief-2024.pdf.