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The initiative was announced Wednesday by President Barack Obama's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, in partnership with the Business Council, Business Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and ANSI members the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the American Chemistry Council.
"For America to stay competitive in the global market, we must train and retain the world's best engineers," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. "Working together, private industry and the public sector can position the U.S. to continue to lead in science and innovation in the 21st century, creating good jobs and laying the foundation for a robust economy."
Between 1990 and 2010, overall college graduation levels in the U.S. have increased about 50 percent, yet the number of engineering graduates has remained flat at around 120,000 graduates per year. In contrast, roughly 1 million engineers graduate yearly from universities in India and China, putting the U.S. at risk of a significant shortfall in terms of qualified experts in the field.
"I applaud the many ANSI members who have joined the coalition and are helping to lead the charge for a stronger, more competitive American workforce," said ANSI president and CEO S. Joe Bhatia. "As the Standards Boost Business campaign gives proof, investing in engineering and standards professionals is absolutely critical to U.S. competitiveness and the future of American jobs."
Read the White House press release for further details.