The National Science Foundation reports that the number of jobs requiring technical training is growing at five times the rate of other occupations. But, U.S. schools aren't keeping pace. In fact, the issue is reaching a crisis point. On March 12, 2008, Bill Gates warned Congress:
"[There's a] gathering threat to U.S. preeminence in science and technology innovation" due to a "critical shortfall of skilled scientists and engineers."
The National Science Foundation predicts that the need for computer science and engineering graduates will grow 26 percent, or 1.25 million, between now and 2012, and, outsourcing these high level jobs isn't the answer. Why not?
"Businesses want their developers located near the core of their marketing and day to day operations — and those functions are located here, in the U.S. " — Aaron Reed, Vice President Employer Relations
More and more companies find that employing higher level engineers and IT professionals with business orientation and innovative personalities is absolutely critical to business operations. This is why companies like IBM and Microsoft have launched national campaigns to encourage enrollments in digitally-oriented programs.
