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Today the Economic and Statistics Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce released a report on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) jobs. I’m sure the findings will be quite interesting to you and your readers:

• In 2010, there were 7.6 million STEM workers in the United States, representing about 1 in 18 workers.
• STEM workers command higher wages, earning 26 percent more than their non-STEM counterparts.
• STEM degree holders enjoy higher earnings, regardless of whether they work in STEM or non-STEM occupations.
• More than two-thirds of STEM workers have at least a college degree, compared to less than one-third of non-STEM workers.

It is interesting to note some of the specifics for individuals within the engineering field. Engineers tend to have a lower unemployment rate and better job prospects in the future when compared to non-STEM workers. The unemployment rate for STEM workers was at 5.3% in 2010, compared to an almost 10% unemployment rate among non-STEM workers. STEM jobs are projected to grow 17% from 2008 to 2018, compared to just 9.8% for non-STEM jobs.

You can find the blog post about the study here – http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2011/07/14/economics-and-statistics-administration-releases-new-report-stem-good-jobs-now-and-f

The complete report is here – http://www.esa.doc.gov/sites/default/files/reports/documents/newstemljuly14.pdf

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,

Ken Cid
New Media
U.S. Department of Commerce

Career-changers could ease the shortfall of senior engineers, according to Roevin Engineering Recruitment. In a new initiative, the specialist recruitment firm is encouraging candidates from all levels and sectors to assess their aptitude for a career in engineering. Would this be of interest to your readers?

While discussion of engineering skills typically focuses on graduates, recruitment data suggests senior engineers are in highest demand. 12% of advertised engineering jobs are for senior engineers, with this role topping the list of the most sought-after positions for both permanent and contract roles, according to data from Roevin.

Mark Tully, head of Roevin Engineering Recruitment, says: “Engineers are being enticed into careers in other sectors – with bigger paycheques and more glamorous reputations. Their skills are welcomed to the ranks of accountants, law firms and consultants, but there is little flow in the opposite direction. Many professionals with experience in other sectors have transferable skills that would be an asset in an engineering role – yet few people are aware of this opportunity. If you are fascinated by how things work but decided at age 18 not to take an engineering degree, it does not – and should not – preclude you from making a valuable contribution in that profession.”

To encourage greater numbers into engineering, Roevin Engineering Recruitment has created an online tool asking ‘Could you be an engineer?’ By answering questions about education, professional background, key interests and approach to problem solving, respondents generate a score indicating their aptitude for an engineering career. Appropriate candidates then embark on a process of technical up-skilling and training, before beginning an apprenticeship scheme.

The tool forms part of a wider Roevin campaign encouraging new entrants into engineering. Roevin is set to deliver workshops in schools to promote the career to young people – up to 12 years before they will enter the workforce. The programme targets students before they choose their A-level options, as most university courses require maths and at least one other science subject.

Sam Wormald-Smith, director at Roevin, added: “At home and abroad, there is real and rising demand for people with engineering skills. Government investment into STEM subjects and apprenticeships has begun to increase numbers at junior levels but there are not enough senior engineers to manage new intakes. Businesses, government and universities must work together to attract people from a range of backgrounds into engineering careers. Both candidates and employers must be encouraged to recognise the significant value of transferable skills.”

An international shortfall of engineers is exacerbating the UK’s shortage, and creating a brain-drain as senior UK engineers accept jobs abroad. From Australia to the Middle East, companies are willing to pay relocation costs and provide significant benefits packages to entice UK engineers to emigrate.

In the next few years, the UK is expected to face greater demand for engineering requirements, as infrastructure projects expand and the drive towards a low carbon economy creates green jobs for skilled engineers.

Across the UK the number of permanent engineering vacancies increased last month to 24,560, while the number of contractor vacancies rose to 1,881.

The shortage is putting upward pressure on pay within the engineering and construction industry. Last month permanent salaries rose by 0.59% to £37,400 on average with contractor pay also rising.

If readers want to find out more about reaching their engineering potential, they can visit http://www.roevin.co.uk and complete the assessment, also available here: http://roevin-engineering.fstthegroup.com/

Hi,

Thanks for having this wonderful blog. I have a question that I’ve been thinking about for a while now. It’s no secret that Engineering is inherently a multi-disciplinary activity. Therefore, it makes sense for graduating engineers, irrespective of their major, to be aware of many other fields. For instance, if you happen to be an aerospace engineer who specializes in Structures, then it would be very useful to also have an idea of Mechatronics, Dynamics and Control, Embedded systems and so on. Also, as engineers, being able to work with hardware (electrical, mechanical and so on) is a desirable skill to have, so that when you design something, you always have some idea of what the big picture is and where your work is going to fit it. Finally, businesss skills such as proper marketing, sales, supply chain and communication in multi-ethnic workplaces seem valuable. It would be great to have some of the experienced guys here write an article about this.

I subscribe by email and I receive the post title, date posted and the post itself. Noticeably absent is the author’s name. If I want to know who wrote the post I have to visit the website. Very minor, but annoying.

How about adding a category for engineer-related book reviews, fiction? My latest, ‘The Sleeping Dragons of Texas,’ reflects some of my experience as a Chemical Engineer in a plant in Houston, although nobody got murdered. Hopefully, some other engineers might find it interesting.

We would love to hear what you think of our new clothing line. High quality American made clothing designed for engineers and blue collar workers. A percentage of our earnings funds STEM education.

I would like to see a bit of commentary on the ad campaign by Quicken Loans, in their ad they use the phrase, “Engineered to Amaze”. I thought using the word engineering or any derivation was illegal in most states unless you are a registered professional engineer or a licensed engineering firm.

FYI, I tried to complete your ‘write for us!’ Form on my BlackBerry, but it wouldn’t allow me to scroll below the radio buttons for ‘engrg type’. Have you received similar complaints in past, or is this just ‘user error’?
Thanks in advance for you reply,

Sincerely,
Jim Sobe
Sr. Component, Reliability & Safety Engineer
Southington, CT

Hi, this is Robert I would like to guest post on your blog engineerblogs.org if you are still open to that idea.

The article would meet all your quality guidelines. Please allow me to send it for review or guide me how to proceed.

Awaiting your response,
Regards,
Robert.

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