Engineering shortage claims are based on a number of assumptions that we are able to examine empirically through a “natural experiment” in the case of petroleum engineers. The assumptions are that demand outpaces supply; the increasing offshore supply of scientists and engineers constitutes a “competition” with the U.S.; the size of the stock of engineers drives innovation (which, in turn, drives economic growth and social prosperity); and supply will depend on (a) stimulating interest and achievement of domestic students, and (b) increasing foreign supply/guest workers. In this paper, we examine the common policy assumptions that: (1) the supply of engineers in other countries is a “threat” to U.S. innovation and competitiveness, (2) that labor markets do not function adequately to produce the requisite supply of engineers to meet industry demand, and (3) that guest workers/students are necessary to meet U.S. employer needs for their permanent workforces. Through this study of petroleum engineering, we examine the responsiveness of the educational engineer market.
- Dynamics of Engineering Labor Markets: Petroleum Engineering and Responsive Supply
- Leonard Lynn (Author) - Case Western Reserve UniversityHal Salzman (Author) - Dean's Office (Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy), Rutgers UniversityDaniel Kuehn (Author) - American University
- The National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Mass., 2011
- 2011
- Rutgers University
- 14 p.
- National Science Foundation - SES-0527584 - 0431755 ; Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
- John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development; Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
- English
- Conference presentation
- 991031549881604646