STEM - Pathways
An Industry Perspective
The Importance of a Well Prepared
Science and Technology
Workforce
October 25, 2003
Patrick Rivera Antony, Ph.D.
Director – University Relations
World Headquarters
The Boeing Company
Chicago IL
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031025_Boeing University Relations - STEM_Antony
Boeing: A Global Enterprise
Defining the Future of Aerospace
Air Traffic Management
Integrated Defense Systems
Shared Services
Commercial Airplanes
Technology
and
Research
Education
and Lifelong
Learning
Phantom
Works
Intellectual
Capital
Next-Generation
Workforce
Boeing Capital Corporation
Connexion by BoeingSM
Integrated Defense Systems
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Technical Workforce
• People with technical capability will be needed in the
future to sustain growth and bring new innovation to
improve quality of life throughout the world
• The retirement of the “baby boom” generation will
accentuate the need for new talent in the next decade
• Improvements to design/build/service processes and
tools will partially offset some of this demand
• Globalization will open new pools of technical talent;
in the US, most foreign students return home to work;
Industry may pursue talent around the globe
• In the USA, the increased percentage of Hispanics and
African Americans, coupled with the need for Women,
will factor into the effort to assure a “pipeline” of talent
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Future Engineering Need & Supply
(Notional)
Practicing
Engineers
(USA)
Most growth comes
in the Computing
Technology field
Need
How do We
Fill the Gap?
1.3M*
Current Workforce
2000
2010
2020
Years
* Note: Total workforce with Science & Engineering education exceeds 10M, 30+% work in S&E;
Engineering accounts for 1.9M degrees and 1.3M working in the field, (NSF Science and Engineering Indicators 2000)
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Aerospace Engineering* Need & Supply
(Notional)
Aerospace
Industry
Engineers
• Economic growth
• Increased population
• Growth in commerce
• Globalization
• National security
• Societal challenges and
needs (environment, etc.)
Growth
(USA)
Consolidation
?
~66K*
• Mechanization
• Better tools & methods
• Better productivity
• Use non-USA talent
2000
2010
2020
* “Aerospace Engineering” needs include aerospace, mechanical, electrical, computing, etc. in the USA
Data based on Bureau of Labor Statistics
Years
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There are Needs for
Engineering the 21st Century
Engineers apply knowledge and skill to create
products & services that are useful to mankind
20th Century
3 B people
Automobile
Highways
Air Conditioning
Airplanes
Space
Communications
Computing
Internet
Medical Tech
Defense
Global
Vision 2050
21st Century
9 B people
High - Bandwidth
Computing
Communications
Integrated Transportation
Miniaturization
Nano & Materials
Bio-Med & Genetics
Alt. Fuels
Environmental
Security & Safety
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Aerospace:
Important in the
21st Century
Security*
Quality of Life
Travel
Global
Public Good
Curiosity
Economics
Trade
Defense and protection
People & Goods on the move
People & places
Connected Worldwide
Safety, Environment, Throughput
Scale: Nano to Space
Strong economic contribution
Largest USA export
* Since “9/11” Security has taken on a new significance
BOEING: “Protect & Connect”
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What is Boeing’s Technical Workforce
Of the Future?
• Nature of our future business
- Core + New Frontiers
- Large scale integration
- Global workforce
- More effective tools & processes
• Technical company needs technical people
• Skill needs will mature
- Basic technical skill
- Depth and breadth
- Knowledge management
- Moving to “wisdom”
• Nature of work will change
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Skills: Engineering Job Content
Will Move Up the Value Chain
KM
1975
2000
2025
Wisdom
Requirements
Integration
Requirements
Integration
Design
Design
Methods
Basics
Requirements
Integration
Design
Methods
Methods
Basics
Basics
Data
Knowledge Management (Knowledge “Re-use”)
Information Technology affects Work Content
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Engineering Activity Breakdown
Less “Overhead; More “Application”
CURRENT (EST.)
OVERHEAD
TASKS
20%
Desired
APPLICATION
OF
ENGINEERING
KNOWLEDGE
AND
JUDGMENT
20%
DATA
PREPARATION
AND
HANDLING
5%
PROCESS
DEVELOPMENT
AND
IMPROVEMENT
10%
DATA
PREPARATION
AND HANDLING
45%
MENTORING/
LEARNING
5%
Too much “mechanics”
MENTORING/
LEARNING
20%
OVERHEAD
TASKS
5%
APPLICATION
OF
ENGINEERING
KNOWLEDGE
AND
JUDGMENT
50%
PROCESS
DEVELOPMENT
AND
IMPROVEMENT
20%
“Wisdom” & “Judgment”
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“Desired Attributes of an Engineer”
•
A good understanding of
engineering science
fundamentals
–
–
–
•
•
•
Mathematics (including statistics)
Physical and life sciences
Information technology (far more
than “computer literacy”)
A good understanding of
design and manufacturing
processes
A multi-disciplinary, systems
perspective
A basic understanding of the
context in which engineering
is practiced
–
–
–
–
Economics (including business)
History
The environment
Customer and societal needs
Boeing list from 1994 still holds, exemplified by
•
Good communication skills
–
–
–
–
•
•
•
•
•
Written
Oral
Graphic
Listening
High ethical standards
An ability to think both
critically and creatively independently and
cooperatively
Flexibility. The ability and
self-confidence to adapt to
rapid or major change
Curiosity and a desire to learn
for life
A profound understanding of
the importance of teamwork.
ABET EC2000
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Future Workforce May Be Different
• High tech: Connected, tele-living, tele-working
• Demographic stress (replace retiring/accommodating
boomers)
• Diversity - more than ever
• Global - business imperative
• Self-employment will rise
• Knowledge management workers
• Life long learning, beyond initial college
Ed Barlow, SME Conference, 6/1/01
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Future Business Depends
On Diversity
• Agile, innovative companies need talent with diversity,
including teams of different disciplines, linear and non-linear
thinkers, working together attitudes, etc
• Diversity of thinking can stimulate innovation
- This may mean that new talent needs to come from
a variety of schools in different parts of the country
• The nature of America’s population is changing and
all types of talent need to be tapped
- Women and ethnic minorities must be recruited
to meet future needs.
- Hispanic and African American populations will
swell in the future.
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Engineering Isn’t Just “Applied Science”
Engineering is about applying knowledge (in a systems
sense) from a broad range of disciplines (including
mathematics, science, economics and information
technology) to create products, services and processes
that meet societal needs and enhance the quality of life.
Technical Problems
Humanities
& Liberal Arts
“Why”
Science
“What”
• Understanding
• Facts and data
• Tools & techniques
• Possibilities and
opportunities
Engineering
“How”
• Understanding
• Human and societal needs
• Ethics
• Compassion
Solutions (products, services, etc.) of Value to Society
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Meeting global needs for today and the future.
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Technical Workforce Pipeline
• Our future depends on Capable Technical Workforce
•
•
•
•
Aerospace is a “niche” segment of the field
We need to do our part to assure a “pipeline” of talent
This is a “holistic” effort
Our support should have these aspects:
- Support for K-12 kids and teachers
- Education goes beyond giving money
- Volunteerism is important
- Support for college students and selected schools
- Acceptance that we all have a role in Continued Education
- Education doesn’t stop with the Degree
- Company relationship is significant
- Personal involvement is important
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How can we help the pipeline
• The overall need for technical workers will continue.
• Many youth are in the system, but only a few take up
the Engineering and Technical career path. More need
to be encouraged in the technical direction, particularly
in the K-12 segment.
• Many technical people go on to other occupations later
in their career. Engineering offers numerous career paths.
• Industry can play several roles by encouraging
both Students & the Education System:
- Science, Math & Technical aspects in K-12 Education
- Technical education, access & diversity in College
- Continual Learning for Industry Employees
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Preparing Engineers for Their Career
• Engineering Education has made great strides through
the acceptance of the ABET EC2000 quality standard for
accreditation. This concept allows schools to balance
their Technical, Engineering and Computer programs
to produce well-educated graduates.
• There is only so much material that can be covered in a
four-year program; much has to be devoted to the basics
of science, math and engineering fundamentals.
• Industry and the new graduate have to accept their roles
in continuing the specifics education process. This must
include “on-the-job” experience, formal internal training,
and formal external education via the Education system.
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Undergraduate Education is Full
“The Basics”
Undergraduate Engineering Curricula
Humanities &
Professional Skills
Basic Math, Science
& Computing
BMSC
Design &
Manufacturing
AMSC
D&M
H&PS
Applied Math, Science
& Computing
135 Credit Hours are fully subscribed in today’s nominal “4 year” program
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Ref: John McMasters
Post-Graduate Learning Must Continue
“The Specifics”
• On-the-Job Education
Practice & learn the job
Technical proficiency
Learn the business
• Internal Formal Training
Computer training courses, eg, CATIA
Processes and tools training
System integration
• External Continuing Education
Professional short courses
University courses
Advanced degree program
Professional Development requires Continuous Learning
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