Transcript Building the Bridge to Tomorrow's STEM Careers

Building the Bridge to
Tomorrow's Science,
Technology, Engineering
and Math (STEM) Careers
September, 2009
Goals for Today’s Presentation
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Understand which industries are STEM
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Present the process to assess the current skills and
workplace competencies of entry to mid-level workers
within locally identified STEM-related industries
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Discuss how the data may lead to the development
of bridge curriculum to transition workers into
emerging, STEM-related fields, building upon their
existing workplace competencies.
THE ISSUE
• Scientific innovation has produced roughly half
of all U.S. economic growth in the last 50 years
(National Science Foundation 2004).
• While about five percent of the U.S. workforce
is employed in STEM fields, the STEM
workforce accounts for more than fifty percent
of the nation’s sustained economic growth
(Babco 2004).
THE CHALLENGE
• There is broad consensus that the long-term key
to continued U.S. competitiveness in an
increasingly global economic environment is the
adequacy of supply and the quality of the
workforce in the STEM fields.
THE CHALLENGE
• Getting more Americans ready for, interested in,
and sufficiently skilled to be productive in
STEM-related jobs will require attention to
segments of the workforce that are often
overlooked in STEM discussions:
– incumbent workers who need skill upgrading,
dislocated workers who are trying to find new jobs
in industries with a future,
– individuals from groups traditionally
underrepresented in STEM fields.
FUTURE FORECAST
• According to the Department of Labor’s
occupational employment projections between
2006 and 2016, 50.8 Million job openings are
expected across the economy.
• 17.4 Million new jobs
• 33.4 Million are replacement jobs
• U.S. Department of Labor predicts between
2010 and 2020, 70 Million Americans will retire,
but only 40 Million will enter the workforce
WORKFORCE IMPACT
– As of 2007, 52% of U.S. engineers and scientists are
over 50 years of age
– Within the U.S., technical and engineering positions
(STEM ) have been supported by foreign talent to
fill the void for the lack of domestic qualified
applicants
– With globalization more of the H 1-B applicants
formerly filling those positions are opting to return
to their country of origin are or opting to remain in
their native country thus creating a void of
employment candidates
WORKFORCE IMPACT
• Since the 1950’s, occupations requiring specific
technical knowledge have increased from about
28% to 68% by 2000.
• Marked decrease in students enrolling in STEMrelated secondary and post-secondary areas of
study
• Between 2000 and 2004, the number of
computer science majors dropped 60%
SCMW! REGIONAL REALITY
Faced with a decline in manufacturing
concerns which were the primary
economic foundation of the region, the
following realizations were made:
SCMW! REGIONAL REALITY
Loss of market resulted workforce reduction
Employers that were surviving need to retrain
current employees in new technology/
equipment in order to remain globally
competitive
With the loss of employment opportunity
came the loss of proven skilled workers
Growing reduction in a skilled workforce was
making the region less desirous to potential
new business opportunities
THE SCMW! CHALLENGE…
What do we do now?
A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY
• What areas/sectors show potential for growth?
• What skill sets do we currently possess within
our region?
• What skill sets are required to support emerging
STEM industries?
• Are there common factors?
• Can we transition existing skill sets as a means to
bridge the knowledge gap into emerging
industries and occupations?
SCMW! REGIONAL RESPONSE
• Capture information regarding our Regional
STEM –related employers
• Identify Entry and Mid-level skill sets
• Identify transferable skill sets and opportunities
for bridge curriculum/training leading to quick
transition
• Provide insight for regional employers
considering diversification decisions
SCMW! REGIONAL RESPONSE
• Applied for and received a Technical Assistance
Grant through the MiRSA program at DELEG.
• Contracted with Perspectives Consulting Group
to develop and conduct a survey of industryspecific employers, by county.
• The survey results will in part, lead to the
development of bridge curriculum to transition
workers into emerging, STEM-related fields,
building upon their existing workplace
competencies.
US-DOL H1-B STEM SECTORS
• The US Department of Labor has
identified the following sectors as
allowable for H1-B Visa Applications:
– Ask yourself; How many of these
sectors exist within your region?
SECTOR: INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
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Computer Systems Design and Related Services.
Software Development/Software Publishers.
Data Processing Services.
Information Services.
Telecommunications.
Scientific Research and Development Services
(including biotechnology).
Scientific and Technical Consulting (including
biotechnology).
Architecture, Engineering, Surveying.
Specialized Design Services.
Construction/Skilled Trades.
SECTOR: Finance, Insurance and
Real Estate and Administrative
Support Services
• Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping &
Payroll Services.
• Financial Investment.
• Securities & Commodity Brokerage/Contracts.
• Business Support Services.
• Insurance Carriers, Agencies, Brokerages, and
Insurance and Employee Benefit Funds.
• Credit Intermediation.
SECTOR: Advanced Manufacturing
• Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing.
• Computer, Electronic Product, and Peripheral Equipment
Manufacturing.
• Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing.
• Communications Equipment Manufacturing.
• Navigational, Measuring, Electro-medical, and Control
Instruments Manufacturing.
• Industrial Machinery Manufacturing.
• Aerospace Manufacturing.
• Chemical and Petrochemical Manufacturing.
• Motor Vehicle and Parts Manufacturing.
• Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing.
• Metalworking Manufacturing.
• Food Manufacturing.
• Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing.
SECTOR: Health Care
• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals and
Other Hospitals.
• Offices of Physicians.
• Offices of Dentists.
• Offices of Other Health Practitioners.
• Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories.
• Nursing and Residential Care Facilities.
• Home Health Care Services.
OTHER STEM SECTORS
• ENERGY
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• Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution.
• Oil & Gas Extraction, Refining, and Production.
• Mining and Support Activities for Mining.
• Pipeline Transportation.
• TRANSPORTATION
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• Air Transportation.
• Freight and Truck Transportation.
• Water Transportation.
• Transportation Support.
Building the Bridge to
Tomorrow's Science,
Technology, Engineering
and Math (STEM) Careers
Questions? Comments?