Manufacturing Needs STEM Candidates More Than Ever

I listened to a podcast the other day about how technology creates jobs that take care of the technology we create. It made me reconsider the way I've looked at manufacturing jobs, and how often they are relegated as non-specialized skills. It makes me wish I had looked into a trade when I was younger, and I'd certainly suggest more people look into STEM.

Question: so, we all know that here in America, the capitalist system relies on basically never-ending growth of one sort or another. If I go back to school and complete a STEM degree so that I can contribute to the burgeoning manufacturing sector once again, am I liable to lose my job in the future if and when supply outweighs demand in the production industry? I can't help wondering if we'll see a "manufacturing bubble" in the next ten years or so.

I agree that education is the key to developing workers with a strong STEM foundation, but I think middle school really is a key area that need more focus. Many elementary school students are excited about science and problem solving, but during the middle school years, fewer and fewer enroll in more difficult science and math coursework. By high school, many students feel that those are not areas they want to pursue. I think more fun STEM courses for middle school students paired with better information about modern manufacturing careers would lead to students taking the coursework necessary to advance into the field.

I believe that the power to drive future innovative technologies lies in the hands of the young generation. That's why I totally agree that for the manufacturing industry to acquire a workforce braced with skills in science, technology, engineering and math, training has to start all the way from elementary school. However caution has to be taken not to overdo it to the extent of segregating students with inclinations elsewhere.

While I agree that the focus on STEM is valuable in the manufacturing industry, I think that employers are neglecting to see the benefit of applicants who excel in creative areas as well. Encouraging a diverse pool of employees is important to merge strengths on the job.

@Abbey, I don't think other fields will shrink if more students concentrate their studies in STEM specialties. In my opinion, too many people, especially women underperform in math and science. STEM simply educates us about the world around us, so there is nothing wrong with increasing knowledge in these areas for everyone. STEM focused education would expand options for more people, but some people would still choose to work in fields where STEM knowledge isn't the core focus.

In addition to encouraging people to pursue training and education in STEM, I think companies should also offer training opportunities to existing employees. I have a friend who works for a manufacturing company as a shift manager and she is constantly complaining that she doesn't have enough qualified people to run the equipment. She has also suggested numerous times that the company institute more comprehensive training for employees. Unfortunately, the company continues to post job openings and then hiring only when they find people with the right mix of education and experience. Very little on-the-job training is offered. I guess the company hopes that over time underqualified employees will eventually move on to other jobs or retire so new, better educated employees can take their places.

@Laura thank you for that. I have seen the segments on the news and think it's really great. It sure is nice to have a "young" family in the White House to address issues like this. In the past, the only place that you might find a woman in these fields is if they were teaching it in school or even in college. Most of the technology/engineering jobs were filled by men - but not sure why. Maybe that women were not accepted in those areas? @William I think that issues like STEM are becoming more popular and that it will continue. Colleges are starting to offer more programs geared towards local industries in their area. This allows the college and the manufacturer to work closely together to teach what is needed and to have graduates ready to hit the ground running. Win-win for all.

How do you think the industry may change in the coming years to attract more workers? It almost seems as if manufacturers don't take the initiative fast enough to bring in the workers they need. The best ones adapt more quickly and get the right types of workers, whereas those that don't seem to lag behind and wallow in mediocrity.

I was interested to recently learn that although women make up almost half of the U.S. workforce, we hold only one-quarter of the jobs in STEM fields. Being the parents of two seemingly intelligent young women, the President and First Lady have taken an interest in several initiatives, including the Equal Futures Partnership, in hopes of opening more doors to high-quality education and high-paying career opportunities with the goal of attracting and retaining more females in STEM fields.

@Jane H, I definitely agree that educators and employers need to put more emphasis on vocational education. One of my siblings pursued vocational schooling in the IT field years ago and found that many employers wouldn't consider anyone without a college degree, despite his extensive skills (i.e. This is someone who built a computer as a teenager). That is finally starting to change, but employers have to realize that STEM careers, especially engineering, often require years of schooling to compete, which is a major turn-off for people from low-income families. I think a lot of young people would be more inclined to explore these careers if they could start working sooner and earning for their families. It might be useful for companies to start programs that foster vocationally trained workers, helping them transition to higher level jobs and pursue more education as they go along. I know some exist, and there are more STEM scholarships now than ever before, but maybe not enough to bridge the gap.

I have to respectfully disagree with one point you made. When you say, "grunt work and labor on the production floor," I feel that doesn't give sufficient credit to the skilled labor force we also need that makes these plants operate. There is so much push to get kids to pursue STEM at the university level, and yet, a lot of kids aren't really cut out for that. Along with college degrees there also needs to be a push towards getting more kids to pursue vocational-technical certificates.

@Abbey thanks for the comment. Not all youth will pursue STEM. Only those who have the aptitude will pursue careers in science, technology, engineering or math. The same as it has always been. The difference today is that more colleges/universities are offering STEM type degrees than in the past.

I understand the increasing demand for employees with STEM backgrounds. I also wonder what is going to happen to other fields if we push our children to pursue these STEM degrees. Are other areas of the workforce going to suffer if we put too much emphasis into the STEM category?