ETA Custom Print - May/June 2008 - (Page 4) ELECTRONICS ECONOMIES: HIGH HIGH HIGH GROWTH W AGES EMPLOYMENT E xperts continue to project impending shortages of a skilled workforce resulting in a demand for higher skilled positions, decrease in the entry-level workforce, and the retirement of existing workers. Nevertheless, the lack of basic skills, technical expertise and competency is a critical problem for the changing electronics industry. In thinking about ways to achieve meaningful solutions, we must consider strengthening workforce skills and credentials throughout the various electronics trades. We don’t need to start from scratch, but can readily look to programs that exist right now and how they may be re-energized. ETA TRACK Ideally, education and training programs must emphasize the following: • Alignment of employee disciplines with employers’ skill requirements. • Unbiased reputable credentialing within the electronics industry which serve as measurable and sustainable successes for the duration of a worker’s career. • Financial aid and affordability for the general population. • High quality, flexible, interactive study materials and distance learning programs, along with other resources. • Modular programs that reinforce an individual’s career progression and have long-term value for employers, employees, the incumbent and unemployed workers. • The creation and maintenance of global partnerships and networks including industry leaders, associations, economic and workforce development entities, educational facilities (high schools, post-secondary, technical, community colleges and universities including both two and four-year programs) and employer-provided and proprietary training providers. These very points have been required for 30 years but none are enough by themselves. ETA was established to be the tool to build and enhance the majority of these purposes and is proud of its role as an industry advocate. ETA has brought together students, workforce, educators and key industry partners while aligning certifications with education programs to advance careers for all electronics workers. Today, however, it is our objective to update and improve our programs and assist the electronics industry to become competitive as it undertakes global workforce development initiatives. ETA is well positioned to provide the workforce of today – and tomorrow with the skills they need to succeed and prosper regardless of the economic conditions. In short, we have a severe lack of qualified electronics job candidates. We cannot only rely on drawing from the new labor entrants, but must also find ways to help the existing workforce gain advancing skill sets, credentials and degree requirements to meet current and future electronics industry workforce demands. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that there will also be a worker gap. http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032007/perinc/new03_019.htm (Both Sexes, All Races, 25-64 Years Old) Level of Schooling Median Earnings <9th Grade $19, 314 Non-Graduate $20, 795 Graduate $28, 211 Some College $32,110 Associate $35,584 Bachelors $46,751 Master $56,129 Professional $90,194 Doctorate $80,360 In order to meet the current and future demands for skilled workers, it’s apparent that education and training are fundamental to our industry’s workforce development. At the same time, it’s essential that individuals achieve family-sustaining wages. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov/oco/ocos112.htm), “Although employers usually do not require engineering technicians to be certified, such certification may provide job seekers a competitive advantage.” 4 | The High-Tech News | MAY/JUNE2008 by K.D.HUDSON in DEMAND } http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032007/perinc/new03_019.htm http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos112.htm
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