According to WGU Labs, the research, development, and investment arm of Western Governors University (WGU), Rising Talent is a segment of U.S. adults stuck in low-wage, non-resilient jobs with limited postsecondary education. WGU Labs has identified key characteristics of Rising Talent individuals:
- Limited higher education: Highest degree earned is a high school diploma or less — 20% did not graduate with a high school diploma or obtain its equivalent (e.g., GED). They may have enrolled in a college but did not earn a degree.
- Low career resiliency: Median per-person household income of $7,000.
- Marginalized communities: Disproportionately Black and Hispanic.
- Negative self-views: Self-reported being more anxious, less open-minded, having lower work standards.
- Negative experiences with early education: Many struggled in high school, reporting lower GPAs and poorer experiences.
- Technology gap: Over a quarter (25.9%) report no computer use, limiting their access to online education and job opportunities in today’s tech-driven economy.
- Health and social challenges: 32% have no healthcare coverage, report poor general health, are more likely to have experienced trauma.
- Family and household: Often come from larger households (average size 4.11 people per household) and more likely to be unmarried, leading to increased caregiving responsibilities and financial strain.
WGU Labs has found these individuals account for an estimated 15% (some 24 million) of the 160 million working-age individuals in the U.S.) who face systemic challenges such as inherited poverty, underfunded education, and limited digital access. These challenges impact their ability to access education and improve their economic status.
This group is distinguished from “some college, no degree” individuals.
See: Research: Rising Talent – WGU Labs | Learn & Work Ecosystem Library (learnworkecosystemlibrary.com)
