Dean Zerve, National Managing Director, Alliant Group
The United States is facing an unprecedented teacher shortage, with almost half (44%) of public schools reporting teacher vacancies this year.
With fewer teachers renewing contracts and curtailed resources for students, the ability of U.S. public schools to deliver STEM education continues to decline and the U.S.’s global competitiveness in science and engineering declines. slow down further.
Efforts to close this gap have so far rested mostly on the public education system, but private tech companies are equally concerned about the long-term impact of these shortages on the future US STEM talent pipeline. should be concerned. Given the resources and attention to excel in STEM at the K-12 level, children will be tomorrow’s tech leaders, so private tech companies will integrate support for public, private, and charter education into their business plans. is needed.
By focusing on investing in targeted resources, programs, and partnerships inside and outside U.S. schools, private companies can create strong talent pipelines and continue to foster innovation and growth.
What are the advantages for technology companies?
According to a recent White House report, the United States produced only 10% of the world’s science and engineering graduates over the past 15 years, but that number could drop significantly due to continuing shortages.
This shortage of graduates in STEM fields is related to the current nationwide overcrowded classrooms, condensed courses, and lack of budgets that limit K-12 schools from providing access to STEM subjects. There is a possibility that K-12 schools are the primary venues for children in the United States to be exposed to her STEM concepts. So early on, he said that infrequent or unexciting exposure to STEM concepts would alienate many potential future engineers, software developers, scientists, etc. from the school. Danger.
The tech industry needs all possible STEM graduates as the current skill gap is expected to get worse. With the US projected to face a shortage of 6 million skilled workers by 2030, private tech companies are investing early in developing a diverse tech workforce to build the workforce of the future. it is essential to
support programs at school
Developing technical talent from a young age requires cooperation and financial investment from technology companies to strengthen the basic pillars of the education system and strengthen them with specialized programs.
Tech companies’ involvement in early education subsidies should start with direct support. This includes funding more of his STEM teachers and assistants, renovating classrooms, ensuring that science classrooms are well stocked with the right supplies, and even sponsoring excursions to local science museums. There are many different ones.
Before proposing flashy projects, tech companies need to appoint company representatives who interact with local schools (public, charter and private) to better understand and respond to their immediate needs. I have.
In addition to supporting the basic needs of educators, technology companies can donate grants to recognize outstanding STEM teachers. This could help boost the morale of the dwindling faculty. In addition to paying for new educational science equipment, companies can also donate some of their old lab materials to help students connect the subjects they have learned to practical applications.
At the high school level, technology companies can sponsor Vocational Skills (VoTech) training programs to help students specialize in technology-related fields and prepare for future careers. VoTech programs are much needed in underserved schools. There, exposure to the right careers may inspire more diverse students to explore potential careers hitherto unknown. One of his possible models is the non-profit organization Generation that McKinsey founded. Generation uses the bootcamp model to train underserved students and in more than 63 cities he has placed them in 20 professional jobs, achieving an 83% placement rate.
Facilitate learning outside the classroom
Tech companies also have the opportunity to inspire STEM careers through external events and programs.
Schools have historically cut back on field trips when money is tight. As such, tech companies help foster creativity outside the classroom by sponsoring and even hosting visits to museums, nature reserves, their own scientific laboratories, and more.
Tech companies can also send representatives to classrooms to discuss careers. For students who have never met their computer-her programmers before, or opted for the brains of chemical engineers, these encounters can illuminate new avenues that may not have been considered before. .
Thinking bigger about out-of-school work/learning programs, such as internships for high school and recent graduates, can strengthen tech companies’ entry-level talent pipelines. More importantly, these programs are key to providing better access to alternative career paths in the K-12 environment, encouraging students to waste time and money on educational programs to prepare them for future jobs. It is important not to fail.
Finally, tech companies can gain additional exposure through hackathons and expos, bringing all students in the district together for fun contests and activities that infuse STEM learning.
Future STEM Workforce
It is in everyone’s best interest to strengthen the US STEM education pipeline in the face of lagging STEM scores compared to their East Asian and European peers.
By offering targeted resources and programs inside and outside the school, technology companies have the opportunity to increase interest in STEM and ultimately help more graduates find employment.
Private tech companies have the power and influence to inspire students today, and companies investing in STEM education today will reap incredible returns for years to come. .
Dean Zerbe Alliant Group Former senior adviser to the US Senate Finance Committee.
