[Al Skierkiewicz]

All of you have heard Dean and Woodie's speeches about engineering jobs going unfilled in this country. As each day goes by that becomes less true as many engineering jobs move off shore. For the near term, engineers in under developed countries (former Soviet Bloc, China, India, etc.) are screaming for work at any pay and are willing (and able ) to work for less pay than their US counterparts. While US law allows employers to go offshore for engineering needs, US engineers are finding themselves on the unemplyment line. (some right here in the First community, sadly). When economic conditions change to a point where engineers are needed in those countries or when those engineers demand a higher wage and benefits, engineering will shift back to our soil. As someone pointed out at IRI this weekend, a firm with 6 engineers working day and night for months on a problem, could turn to an Indian company for help. Potentially, that firm could put 600 engineers on the problem and turn out a solution in a couple of days for less cost. Please note that it could turn out a solution, not necessarily the best solution. The "world economy" we are finding ourselves in currently will change at some point and that time is coming soon. As the shift in wages and demand balance out so will the need for engineers and scientists in all countries. The European Union is the next major economic force and it is coming on fast. With the addition of the former Soviet Bloc countries and eastern Mediterranean, the consumer market in the EU will be huge. Those companies that plan for that day will make out in a big way. Those that fail to see the future will be left on the side of the road.
If I could drive the country for a while, I would put some R & D into alternatives for oil. As the world's reserves are used up, there needs to be alternatives (cheap) for plastics, synthetics and other by-products of oil as well as alternative fuels and efficient engines that use what is left. As a young engineer, I believe there is a real future in these areas.