Building the Bridge to Tomorrow's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math STEM Careers

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Building the Bridge to Tomorrow's Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Careers

• September, 2009

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Goals for Todays Presentation

• Understand which industries are STEM
• Present the process to assess the current skills
  and workplace competencies of entry to mid-level
  workers within locally identified STEM-related
  industries
• 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.

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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
  nations sustained economic growth (Babco 2004).

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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.

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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.

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FUTURE FORECAST

• According to the Department of Labors
  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

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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

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WORKFORCE IMPACT

• Since the 1950s, occupations requiring specific
  technical knowledge have increased from about 28
  to 68 by 2000.
• Marked decrease in students enrolling in
  STEM-related secondary and post-secondary areas
  of study
• Between 2000 and 2004, the number of computer
  science majors dropped 60

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SCMW! REGIONAL REALITY

• Faced with a decline in manufacturing concerns
  which were the primary economic foundation of the
  region, the following realizations were made

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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

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THE SCMW! CHALLENGE

• What do we do now?

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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?

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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

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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 industry-specific
  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.

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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?

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SECTOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

• 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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OTHER STEM SECTORS

• ENERGY
• Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and
  Distribution.
• Oil Gas Extraction, Refining, and Production.
• Mining and Support Activities for Mining.
• Pipeline Transportation.
• TRANSPORTATION
• Air Transportation.
• Freight and Truck Transportation.
• Water Transportation.
• Transportation Support.

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Building the Bridge to Tomorrow's Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Careers

• Questions? Comments?