Goals & Groups
The NDIA STEM Workforce Division strives to provide a forum for effective interaction between government, industry, academia, and the public at large for the strengthening of the national security Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce.
Broad Goals
- Increase NDIA’s participation in exciting and attracting K-12 students into STEM careers.
- Maximize cooperation between federal departments, agencies, and industry on STEM workforce development initiatives.
- Support the development of integrated polices around the STEM workforce.
- Establish partnerships to collect and disseminate information and coordinate resources to build a robust STEM workforce of the future.
Specific Goals
- Provide industry support to interested government agencies relative to national security STEM workforce matters through close liaison and direct interface with appropriate government elements.
- Provide concepts and linkages to NDIA chapters and divisions on opportunities for their participation and activism in support of K-12 STEM education and careers.
- Conduct government/industry meetings and conferences to provide effective communications on STEM Workforce-related matters.
- Support in the development and maintenance of a website reference area as a resource for Chapters, Divisions, Member Companies, and individuals to research opportunities for participating in STEM educational outreach activities.
- Maintain close liaison with other industry associations, professional societies, universities, and other groups with similar interests in pursuing the above objectives and ensuring the avoidance of unnecessary duplication of effort.
- Conduct studies and provide reports on National Security STEM Workforce matters in coordination with government agencies.
Why We Care
- The number of engineering degrees awarded in the United States is down 20% from the peak year of 1985.
- Although U.S. fourth graders score well against international competition, they fall near the bottom or dead last by 12th graders in mathematics and science, respectively.
* Facts provided by Tapping America's Potential www.tap2015.org
Why You Should Care
- More than 50% of all engineering doctorial degrees awarded by U.S. engineering colleges are to individuals ineligible for the security clearances required for most defense industrial base jobs.
* Facts provided by Tapping America's Potential www.tap2015.org