Building the Bridge to Tomorrow's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Careers September, 2009

Goals for Today’s 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.

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 STEM-related 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 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.

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 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 TRANSPORTATION • 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.

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