ESD Unveiling Plan To Bring Engineers Back To Michigan

SOUTHFIELD -- Following years of economic distress, many of Michigan's engineers and scientists gave up and left the state, resulting in a huge engineering shortage. The answer? Bring back those who left, and find ways to keep our existing professionals and young graduates right here in Michigan.

To do so, The Engineering Society of Detroit and its Institute along with numerous Michigan leaders and stakeholders will unveil a new initiative entitled, "Made in Michigan Pipeline" on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Dearborn Inn in Dearborn.

The initiative, which encompasses both short-and long-term goals, is designed to groom the next generation of engineers, support current practitioners, and bring home those who left the state. Based on a sustainable economic plan, this collaborative and inclusive plan will transform ideas into actionable results that will help fill the state's pipeline with a knowledgeable workforce.

"Just two years ago, when ESD held job fairs to match employers with engineers and technical professionals, the line of applicants was twice the job openings available," said Christopher Webb, director of the ESD Institute. "Last year, those lines of supply and demand crossed and today the gap has reversed -- more openings; less people. Employers hungry to hire can't find the people they need. Our Pipeline initiative has one goal: Let's optimize people for jobs."

Numerous leaders representing key Michigan industries, such as automotive, engineering, construction, academia, and more, will be on hand to unveil the plan.

"Our pipeline integrates short and long-term initiatives all geared to transforming our workforce to be the most competitive in the world while promoting lifelong learning and optimizing quality of life," said Darlene Trudell, CAE, ESD's Executive Vice President. "Every program or strategic direction of the Pipeline is designed to foster people as our greatest resource."

Founded in 1895, ESD is a multi-disciplinary society uniting engineering, scientific and allied professions to enhance professional development and foster excitement in math and science to produce our next generation of leaders. Serving this generation of engineers and fostering the next. For more information, visit www.esd.org.

Founded in 2009, the ESD Institute is part of The Engineering Society of Detroit. Its mission is to bring together individuals of differing backgrounds, opinions and expertise to foster creative and independent thought and to deliver focused and consensus-based actions that can be adopted by policymakers in the private and public sectors around the world. For more information, visit www.esdinstitute.net