SOUTHFIELD — Michigan’s colleges and universities are critical partners in helping the state — and the nation as a whole — cope with a looming shortage of qualified workers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
In the next few weeks, The Engineering Society of Detroit will be visiting seven of those schools to learn more about their efforts to fill the future talent pipeline — and will report on those efforts at its science and engineering news website, TechnologyCentury.com.
The ESD’s Director of Communications and Public Relations, Matt Roush, will be continuing his tradition of fall “Tech Tours” of Michigan universities from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7.
The ESD Tech Tour will visit Michigan Technological University, Saginaw Valley State University, Central Michigan University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University and Michigan State University during its nine-day run.
The schools will be sharing their efforts to boost enrollment in science, technology and engineering fields, including K-12 outreach, partnerships with employers, and more.
The need is huge. The Congressional Research Service predicts there will be nearly a million new science and engineering jobs created in the United States over the next 10 years. But right now, the U.S. is predicted to be hundreds of thousands of STEM graduates short of filling those jobs.
Said Robert Magee, ESD interim executive vice president: “There are more engineers per capita in Michigan than any other state. ESD has been working since 1895 to keep Michigan in that top spot, with programs to support today’s engineers and tech professionals, and engage youth to fill the future talent pipeline. All of us — colleges, universities, professional organizations — need to work together on this effort.”
ESD is also initiating an effort to establish student chapters at Michigan’s top 25 universities and colleges. Student membership offers low-cost access to all of ESD’s member benefits and services — including numerous educational and networking events, job fairs, an online ESD Jobs Bank, and discounts on insurance, legal services, financial services, entertainment and more.
As has been the case on prior years’ Tech Tours, Roush will be driving the latest in high-tech transportation during the week – a Ford C-MAX plug-in hybrid, courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
You can follow the ESD Tech Tour at TechnologyCentury.com.