Today's long-term jobs crisis is not about the current financial meltdown. It is about an accelerating talent showdown. The basic cause is that unprecedented technological advances are ever more rapidly transforming the world of work. The global economy will be more tech-driven with each passing year. This will continue to raise the U.S. talent ante for people seeking employment or for businesses that need to fill high-skill jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor finds that 62 percent of all U.S. jobs now require two-year or four-year degrees and higher, or special postsecondary occupation certificates or apprenticeships. By 2020 it is expected that these talent requirements will increase to include 75 percent of U.S. jobs. Across America renewed civic engagement and best practice models, such as community-based organizations (CBOs) and career academies, are already helping communities expand their pool of qualified talent. People must create a new sense of urgency regarding the global talent showdown and its broad economic ramifications. The author contends that it is time for a revitalization of talent creation systems that will lead to America's economic growth and that of other nations around the world.