U.S. IT Talent Shortage Should Spur Policy Changes, Report Advises
The CPST calls for better programs for women and minorities in the face of 40% reductions of STEM-related bachelor degrees.
By K.C. Jones
InformationWeek
October 19, 2007 05:29 PM
Offshoring in China and India is having a negative impact on the number of U.S. computer science degrees, which has sent up a red flag with human resource management analysts.
The Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology wants policymakers to improve conditions for the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. The CPST issued a report this week pointing out weaknesses in the United States' ability to compete with India, China, and other nations in those fields. The "STEM Workforce Data Project" results from nearly three years of data analysis on trends in the U.S. STEM workforce.
The nonprofit commission found that from 2001 to 2006, enrollments in bachelor's programs in computer science dropped 40% and many students stayed away from the field because of increased risk of job loss due to offshoring and other issues.
The report states that Americans have fewer incentives to continue education in STEM fields as more employers moving toward "on-demand" employment and students predict shorter tenure.
"This leaves STEM professionals especially vulnerable since keeping up with the pace of technology is critical to their employability," the commission explained.
The report states that there are several policy decisions that can help the STEM workforce, such as those in government procurement. It outlines several other areas where policymakers can make a difference, including: increasing federal research funding, scholarships; promoting continuing education; implementing sound immigration policies; improving labor market signals; and supporting re-entry into STEM careers.
"Changing one control variable, such as increasing degree production, will have multiple effects on the entire system, some of which may be desirable and others which may not," Ron Hira, assistant professor of public policy at Rochester Institute of Technology, said in a prepared statement.
Hira, who authored the report, said that policymakers should develop models to predict how policy decisions affect the STEM employment outlook immediately and over time.
"Of course, this also means recognizing and reconciling the conflicting values of the interested parties," he said. The report found that the United States is not doing enough to encourage women and underrepresented minorities to enter STEM fields, while older workers report unemployment and underemployment and employers complain about a shortage of STEM talent.
"When employers issue dire cautions about a lack of human supply, we intuitively expect the field in question to become more attractive, with degree production, employment levels and salaries rising accordingly," Lisa Frehill, executive director of CPST, said in a prepared statement. "But that hasn't happened with many STEM occupations, so we need to start looking at where the disconnects are."
Richard Ellis, author of several of the STEM Workforce Data Project reports, said that most people recognize the impact the STEM workforce has on the United States' ability to compete in the global economy and policies should reflected that.
The complete report is free, but users must register with the CPST Web site for access.
Find thousands of Bilingual jobs at LatPro.com.
By K.C. Jones
InformationWeek
October 19, 2007 05:29 PM
Offshoring in China and India is having a negative impact on the number of U.S. computer science degrees, which has sent up a red flag with human resource management analysts.
The Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology wants policymakers to improve conditions for the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. The CPST issued a report this week pointing out weaknesses in the United States' ability to compete with India, China, and other nations in those fields. The "STEM Workforce Data Project" results from nearly three years of data analysis on trends in the U.S. STEM workforce.
The nonprofit commission found that from 2001 to 2006, enrollments in bachelor's programs in computer science dropped 40% and many students stayed away from the field because of increased risk of job loss due to offshoring and other issues.
The report states that Americans have fewer incentives to continue education in STEM fields as more employers moving toward "on-demand" employment and students predict shorter tenure.
"This leaves STEM professionals especially vulnerable since keeping up with the pace of technology is critical to their employability," the commission explained.
The report states that there are several policy decisions that can help the STEM workforce, such as those in government procurement. It outlines several other areas where policymakers can make a difference, including: increasing federal research funding, scholarships; promoting continuing education; implementing sound immigration policies; improving labor market signals; and supporting re-entry into STEM careers.
"Changing one control variable, such as increasing degree production, will have multiple effects on the entire system, some of which may be desirable and others which may not," Ron Hira, assistant professor of public policy at Rochester Institute of Technology, said in a prepared statement.
Hira, who authored the report, said that policymakers should develop models to predict how policy decisions affect the STEM employment outlook immediately and over time.
"Of course, this also means recognizing and reconciling the conflicting values of the interested parties," he said. The report found that the United States is not doing enough to encourage women and underrepresented minorities to enter STEM fields, while older workers report unemployment and underemployment and employers complain about a shortage of STEM talent.
"When employers issue dire cautions about a lack of human supply, we intuitively expect the field in question to become more attractive, with degree production, employment levels and salaries rising accordingly," Lisa Frehill, executive director of CPST, said in a prepared statement. "But that hasn't happened with many STEM occupations, so we need to start looking at where the disconnects are."
Richard Ellis, author of several of the STEM Workforce Data Project reports, said that most people recognize the impact the STEM workforce has on the United States' ability to compete in the global economy and policies should reflected that.
The complete report is free, but users must register with the CPST Web site for access.
Find thousands of Bilingual jobs at LatPro.com.
Labels: employment, IT hiring
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