California Engineer Initiative - Engineers Needed to Meet Demand

California faces a significant need for new engineers to keep the state's economy vibrant and to fulfill the goals envisioned by voters who approved $42 billion in bonds to build new schools, parks, roads, levees and housing. The gap between California trained engineers and the industry demand will reach nearly 40,000 by 2014. The growing economy and the upcoming retirement boom are fueling the projected shortfall.

This new initiative complements the state's move toward Performance Based Infrastructure planning, which is designed to build, operate and maintain its large capital projects better, faster and at lower cost to taxpayers.

Governor Schwarzenegger's Engineer Initiative will bring 20,000 to 24,000 new engineers into the state's workforce over the next decade through new partnerships with schools, the military and the private sector.

 The administration's top-to-bottom approach includes expanding K-12 engineering preparation programs, new apprenticeship opportunities at community colleges, and programs at state universities and colleges that will speed certification for military veterans with engineering backgrounds.

The plan will launch the Engineering Education Council, which is designed to attract private funds to help guide math and science students into engineering programs at state colleges, universities and community colleges. In addition, the plan envisions the expansion of California's charter High Tech High programs, which provide K-12 education with a focus on engineering.

Most of the current demand is for civil, electronics, mechanical and industrial engineers. Industries such as aerospace, electronics manufacturing, scientific research and development and government also report high demand for these well paying occupations.