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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 72 6 Conclusions and Recommendations The following conclusions drawn from the deliberations of the panel are paired with recommendations for action (if any) needed to address that problem or circumstance. CONCLUSION In the past, the engineering supply system has responded well to changing societal demand. The engineering institutions have proven to be remarkably adaptable in practice, and individual engineers have generally been flexible in responding to changeâalthough spot shortages and a certain amount of individual hardship have not been entirely avoided. Despite numerous stresses, the system continues to function reasonably well today. RECOMMENDATION Because the system is working reasonably well in meeting demand at the present time, no precipitous actions should be taken that would alter its basic functioning under present conditions. CONCLUSION Nevertheless, because of the rapidity of technological, market, and social change, the panel cannot be confident that the engineering supply system will continue to be sufficiently adaptive in the future. RECOMMENDATION To permit the timely recognition of future problems as they develop, some means of monitoring the functioning of the engineering supply system should be put in place. Based on short-term (e.g., industry recruitment and government research grants) as well as
