Technical Difficulties: Meeting California s Workforce Needs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Fields

Transcription

1 Technical Difficulties: Meeting California s Workforce Needs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Fields Nancy Shulock Sacramento State University 2009 Regional Briefing Series Campaign for College Opportunity Silicon Valley Leadership Group September 4, 2009: Sunnyvale, CA

2 Overview STEM employment is vital to CA Growing shortage of college educated educated STEM workers Causes of STEM shortage Growing demand Constricting supply Recommendations for CA higher education

3 Documenting the Problem Short 1 million college educated educa ed workers sby ( (PPIC) Half of 123 STEM occupations have projected shortages For those, need 90% annual increase in degrees/certificates Postsecondary education is vital to shortfall areas: 37% of occupations: associate degree minimum qual. 35% of occupations: bachelor s degree minimum qual. CA is 9 th of 10 new economy states in producing bachelor s in science and engineering CA has fewer health care workers per capita than US avg.

4 Largest Annual STEM Job Shortfalls: Health Care,Social Assistance; Professional,Scientific, Technical 12 Other Industry Sectors 11% Finance and Insurance 3% Educational Services 4% Health Care and Social Assistance 33% Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 4% Information 4% Public Administration(Federal, State, Local) 8% Manufacturing 10% Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 23%

5 Causes of Shortfall: Demand Side STEM employment growing faster than non STEM Aging population requires more healthcare workers Rti h hi h l l f Retirees have higher levels of education

6 Growth in STEM Employment Greater than Non STEM 30.0% 25.0% 25.5% 20.0% 20.3% 15.0% 10.0% 15.7% 13.6% STEM Occupation Non STEM Occupation 5.0% 0.0% Employment Growth from Projected Job Growth from

7 Educational Attainment is Lower for Younger Workers 50.0% Age Age Age Age Perc cent of Adults with Associate De egree or Higher 45.0% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 39.5% 39.9% 39.2% 36.9% 42.0% 40.2% 38.3% 36.5% 5.0% 0.0% U.S. California

8 Causes of Shortfall: Supply Side Public higher education is crucial Too few STEM degrees produced Race/ethnicity and gender disparities worsen shortfall Competition from other states and nations is rising State budget cuts may especially hurt STEM (high cost)

9 The Public Sector Awards Most STEM Degrees First Professional 9% 37% 54% Doctorate 36% 64% Master's 6% 38% 56% Public Bachelor's 6% 16% 78% Private WASC Other Associate 11% 18% 71% Pre baccalaureate Certificate 5% 21% 74% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

10 Increase in Degrees/Certificates Greater for Non STEM Fields 90, % Increase 41.9% Increase 60, % Increase 22.0% Increase 30, % Increase 4.1% Increase 0 STEM Non STEM STEM Non STEM STEM Non STEM Certificate Associate Bachelor's

11 STEM Degree Production : Even Increases Not tshowing Strong Pattern Ptt Largest increase in bachelors degree: Engineering Health (mixed growth/decline) Biological sciences (mixed growth/decline) Computer and info. sciences (annual declines since 2003)

12 Certificates and Associate Degrees: Health Dominates Physical Sciences Mathematics and Statistics Certificates and Associate Degrees Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Engineering and Engineering Technology Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services Biological and Biomedical Sciences Agriculture, General 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000 18,000

13 Smaller Share of Blacks and Latinos Earn STEM Bachelor s Degrees Asian/Pacific Islander 4,381 9,034 5,041 9,730 White 12,004 2,366 2,206 10,350 5,634 33,617 29, ,736 Latino Black 2,974 2,262 9, ,447 2, ,840 19,126 3,913 4,894 STEM Bachelor s STEM Associate STEM Certificate Non STEM Bachelor s Non STEM Associate Non STEM Certificate

14 Smaller Share of Women Earn STEM Bachelor s Degrees 14,231 3,503 Men 14,866 Women 12,408 7,733 6,924 16,854 5,484 27,296 43,688 33,222 52,516 STEM STEM STEM Non STEM Non STEM Non STEM Bachelor s Associate Certificate Bachelor s Associate Certificate

15 Recommendations general General points: State leaders should develop a public agenda Acknowledge seriousness of problem Set goals for higher education Adopt plans/policies for meeting goals Strategic investment within budget constraints Protect core investments in higher education Target funding to best meet workforce needs

16 Recommendations specific Improve K 12 preparation in math and science Improve career pathways and information about them Create financial incentives for students and institutions Increase STEM achievement in under represented groups Better coordinate STEM programs with industry Maximize STEM employment among STEM degree holders