Shaping America's skilled technical workforce

As a member of the National Science Board (NSB), I am excited about the recently released report, The Skilled Technical Workforce: Crafting America’s Science and Engineering Enterprise. The report addresses, in great detail, an often-overlooked segment of our working population — the 17 million people who use science and engineering skills in their jobs who do not hold a bachelor’s degree.

The NSB held five listening sessions at different locations across the U.S. as part of the research behind this project. The sessions uncovered a wealth of information from students, educational faculty and policymakers that allowed the NSB and my good friend and colleague, Victor McCrary, to shape this critical policy piece. In brief, we found a vast majority of skilled technical workers (STWs) utilize critical thinking and other STEM skills in their occupations — and yet, there are few formal pathways to ensure collaborative ongoing training and education for this valuable segment of the workforce. 

As a result of these findings, four corresponding actions are outlined in the report:

• Counter negative perceptions and raise awareness of STW jobs, including discussion around educational pathways to career success.
• Collect and share data on the capabilities of the STW talent pool to promote more and better partnership opportunities.
• Employ a coordinated approach to leveraging the programs and investments of Federal agencies that support STW-related programs.
• Encourage educational institutions working in tandem with industry and government to grow the STW through the development of specialized programs.

Another good friend and colleague, NSB chair Diane Souvaine, explained the necessity of this integrated approach to leveraging the power and potential of the STW:

“K-12 schools, 2-year colleges, 4-year colleges and universities, and other education and workforce development programs, are all integral, synergistic parts of a whole that we need to foster a STEM-capable workforce. We need these educational institutions to work together and with business and industry to create partnerships that are tailored to the needs of local communities.”

The report and its findings are part of a larger ongoing discussion surrounding issues related to the future of work. Automation is being integrated into the workplace at an unprecedented pace. This requires workers, employers and educators to work collectively toward finding pathways that will ensure a strong economy, job stability and personal fulfillment, and a methodology for addressing STEM needs across all occupations. 

It all starts with developing a creative, innovative mindset. This comprehensive report is the perfect step toward continuing this important conversation.

Report: https://www.nsf.gov/nsb/NSBActivities/skilled-technical-workforce-report.pdf