Fostering Flexibility in the Engineering Work Force (1990) / Chapter Skim
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1. Background
1. Background
Pages 5-10
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From page 5... ...
Adaptability has been one of the strengths of the United States' science and engineering work forces. For the purposes of this report, "adaptability" is defined as the ability to transfer a given set of engineering skills among engineering fields and activities, between engineering and noneng~neering fields and activities, and among sectors of the economy; transform new scientific and technological knowledge into product and process applications; and seek out and apply ideas from outside sources to He engineering process when needed.
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From page 6... ...
In response to this request, OSEP convened a steering committee of engineers and scientists from industry, academe, and the professional engineering societies to guide its efforts and to prepare a report summarizing its findings and conclusions. The committee concurs with the finding fimm a recent National Research Council report that since the m~-1960s, as the economy has become increasingly international, the United States' economic penance has detenwated and changes in the international economic environment have narrowed the technological gap between Me UnitM States and other industrial economies in many industries.3 Any technology-based advantages held by U.S.
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From page 7... ...
Two basic underlying assumptions informed the committee's deliberations: An adaptable engineering work force is a valuable national asset because it facilitates adjustments to technological change and shifting national priorities through field switching, industrial mobility, or reallocation of work activities among engineering functions. The relationship between adaptability and education and gaining is strong and complex: the type and level of education and Gaining-both in school and on He job-play important roles in creating an adaptable engineering work force; and the need for adaptability can have Important consequences for education and gaining policies.6 A sizable part of the committee's deliberations focuses} on conceptualizing "adaptability" because, like quality, adaptability is easier to recognize clan to define.
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From page 8... ...
We do not know about the quality of these adjustments, nor the factors that facilitate and impede them.7 After considerable discussion, the committee agreed to define "adaptability" as the ability to accommodate smoothly and efficiency to changes in demand for engineering work by applying products, processes, sldlls' and resources including knowledge and human resources in different ways; adaptability also refers to the ability to exploit new technologies effectively and quickly. The committee broadly defined the "engineering work force" to include individuals who meet at least one of the following cnteria: earned a degree in engineering; are employed as engineers; identify themselves as engineers based on their education and work experience.
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From page 9... ...
The committee's findings and conclusions are based on information developed from these ac~avii~es.
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