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Description: |
Our regional and national
competitiveness depend upon
a supply of educated
engineers, technologists,
and scientists. The evidence
is clear that economic
productivity gains are tied
to advances in technology.
However, there are three
startling factors converging
upon our country. First, the
United States graduates the
same number of engineers
(bachelor’s degrees) in 2007
as it did in 1987. Over the
same time
period, the total number of
bachelor’s degrees awarded
has increased by over 50%.
Second, a great number of
engineers and scientists
from the baby-boom
generation are now starting
to retire. Companies in
Northwest PA and throughout
the nation are projecting
increased hiring over the
next 10 years, just to
replace current workers. The
third compelling factor is
that it is now much harder
to import technical talent
from other countries since
9/11. That strategy has
allowed the US to meet needs
in the past, such as during
the dot-com boom. These
three converging influences
are the subject of a recent
report by the National
Academies of Science and
Engineering titled the
“Gathering Storm” that is
garnering a great deal of
attention and starting to
spur action. There are also
myths in the media about the
lack of technical jobs in
the US, discouraging
college-bound students from
pursuing technical degrees.
The good news is that the
message is getting out and
there are now efforts
underway by K-12,
universities, and industry
to address this need. GE
recently provided $15
million to support STEM
efforts in the Erie School
District. Penn State Behrend
has a number of initiatives
to recruit more students
into science and technical
fields and to increase the
diversity of students
pursuing these degrees.
These are a few examples.
This seminar will provide
background on our current
situation and
recommendations that our
region can undertake to meet
this challenge. |
