Congressional briefing highlights "The Status of the U.S. Science and Engineering Workforce"

ASME recently joined with other engineering societies, in conjunction with the Congressional Research and Development Caucus, to sponsor a point-counterpoint briefing on whether the science and engineering (S&E) workforce trained in the United States will be large enough for future demands.

Caucus co-chairs Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Ill., and Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., opened the briefing by discussing their concerns about the impending S&E workforce retirements, and the growing number of non-domestic science and engineering graduates of U.S. institutions who are no longer remaining in the United States but returning to their countries. Michael Reischman of ASME's Board on Government Relations moderated the briefing.

Michael P. Crosby, executive officer at the National Science Board (NSB), discussed the board's findings and recommendations outlined in its recently released reports, "An Emerging and Critical Problem of the S&E Labor Force" and "The S&E Workforce: Realizing America's Potential."

Michael S. Teitelbaum, a demographer at the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, stated that, "No one can forecast the S&E scene in 2012." He discussed the need to give attention not only to the supply of, but also the demand for, these positions, as well as the need to address the high costs involved in establishing an S&E career.

John A. Brighton, assistant director for engineering at the National Science Foundation, urged the attendees to view S&E as distinct disciplines. He noted that "engineering enrollments are unstable" and difficult to predict. He added that future engineers should be more broadly educated and called for engineering schools to rethink their programs.

ASME and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-USA co-chair an Advisory Committee for the Congressional R&D Caucus, which was initiated to support activities and events to increase awareness on issues related to research and development.

Additional information about the Advisory Committee and R&D Caucus is available at www.researchcaucus.org.

Presentations and accompanying reports from the briefing are available at www.researchcaucus.org/schedule/04July15/default.asp.



National Science and Technology Council releases "Science in the 21st Century"

A new National Science and Technology Council report entitled "Science in the 21st Century" was unveiled in July.

The report details four major responsibilities of the federal government: to promote discovery and sustain the excellence of the nation's scientific research enterprise; to respond to the nation's challenges with timely, innovative approaches; to invest in, and accelerate, the transformation of science into national benefits; and to achieve excellence in science and technology education as well as in workforce development.

The report can be found at ostp.gov/nstc/21stcentury.

The NSTC, a cabinet-level council, was created by executive order in November 1993 and is the principal means by which the White House coordinates federal science and technology policies.

— Francis Dietz
ASME Government Relations

back to columns