Some manpower shortages seen for energy R and D

Journal Article · Mon Apr 05 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Chem. Eng. News; (United States)

OSTI ID:7180657

The Energy Research and Development Administration is facing a shortage of trained technical and scientific manpower to carry out its coal R and D programs. According to a recent report, Fossil Energy Technical Manpower: Forecast of Supply and Demand, energy-related industries will absorb about 18 percent of new engineering graduates and about 9 percent of new physical science graduates each year for the next several years. But predictions indicate a downward trend in the yearly crop of technical graduates. Even so, Dr. Bernard S. Friedman, the ERDA consultant who prepared the report, strongly warns against ERDA using these estimates as a rationale for engaging in an active recruiting program aimed at stimulating enrollment in specific fields; this would probably lead to a manpower surplus, for which ERDA would be blamed. Options suggested by the report include intensifying recruiting of new graduates; retrieving the engineers, chemists, and physical scientists who left the profession in recent years; retraining programs; supporting experimental university programs to shorten technical curricula; and making use of para-professionals and technicians. If all these fail, it is suggested that increased immigration could provide the U.S. with ready access to a reservoir of newly trained scientists and engineers. Dr. Friedman further suggests that ERDA support and encourage programs and symposia to provide information on and understanding of energy resources, uses, R and D programs; provide stipends, loans, and scholorships for students in the physical sciences and engineering; and provide part-time work for students and teachers on fossil-energy projects or in governmental laboratories. (MCW)

• OSTI ID: 7180657
• Journal Information: Chem. Eng. News; (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Eng. News; (United States) Vol. 54:14; ISSN CENEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290500* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Research
Development
Demonstration
& Commercialization
294001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COAL MINING
COAL PREPARATION
COMMINUTION
DEMAND FACTORS
EDUCATION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENGINEERING
FORECASTING
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
MINING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PERSONNEL
PRODUCTION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS