Tech firms fear future lack of talent

ARMONK, N.Y. — Youngsters spend a lot of time on cellphones, computers and listening to CD players, but ironically may not have a clue about — or interest in — the disciplines that make these gadgets possible.

By The Associated Press The Seattle Times

"Young people, in particular, have become rabid consumers of all things technological — from Internet chat rooms, to cellphones, CDs and DVDs — yet they are increasingly pulling away from the math and science skills that produce these wonders," said Helene Armitage, vice president of technology at IBM.

There are many reasons for this "amazing paradox," as she terms it, but parents, teachers and business leaders must encourage kids to find out what makes these things tick. And more to the point, they need to urge youngsters to become innovators of the future.

There’s a serious technical-skills gap, Armitage says, and it’s going to impact the future of the technology industries. She cites a projection by the National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century that by 2008, 5.6 million jobs will be added to the health sciences and computer industries.

"Meanwhile, more tech workers are retiring, and precious few are preparing to take their place," she said.

"While thousands of essential technology jobs remain vacant, our nation’s technology needs continue to grow — for everything from ensuring adequate food and water supplies to new medical treatments, environmental protection and national security. We are on the threshold of unprecedented advances in our understanding and application of technology itself, which will create career opportunities for science and math students that we cannot even imagine today."

So why aren’t youngsters getting into the pipeline for these careers that almost certainly will offer secure futures?

"A major part of the answer lies in the fact that too many of our young people are not encouraged in the middle grades to take math and science courses," Armitage said.

She points out that a federal "Tech Talent Act," authorizing $390 million over the next five years for science, math, engineering and technology programs, recently made its way through the House of Representatives. If and when it becomes law, it will strengthen programs at the National Science Foundation to increase the number of U.S. students majoring in these fields.

Meanwhile, parents, teachers and business must make a deliberate effort to guide children toward these careers, she said.

"Our nation’s future depends upon this effort, an effort that we all must take personally."

Copyright © 2002 The Seattle Times Company

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/134549158_techgap06.html