After researching the issue for three years, the National Science Board released a report last week on the U.S. science and engineering workforce indicating an immediate need for action to ensure that future needs in science, engineering and technology fields are met.

The report said that a sampling from the 2000 census figures shows a larger than previously known percentage of degree-holding, foreign-born professionals working in the United States in science and engineering occupations, as well as a downturn in the number of H1-B visas (temporary worker in specialty occupations) issued to foreign-born professionals specializing in these industries.

A previous study by the National Science Foundation (NSF), with figures taken from the 1990 census, showed that of the total population of science and engineering classified occupations 11 percent of those who held bachelor’s degrees were foreign-born.  Of those who held master’s degrees, foreign-born individuals represented 19 percent; of total Ph.D.s, 29 percent were foreign born.

The 2000 census figures allowed foreign-born workers who hold degrees not obtained in the United States to be counted.  With this new information it was determined that the estimated proportions of foreign-born workers in science and engineering occupations in 1999 rose between six and 10 percent per category.  The foreign-born proportion went up to 17 percent among those in science and engineering professions with bachelor’s degrees, 29 percent among those with master’s degrees and 38 percent among doctorate holders.  This is due, in part, to a large demand for foreign-born scientists and engineers across most fields.

The National Science Board members that participated in the Press Club’s discussion on the board’s new report said that stakeholders must work to initiate efforts to increase the number of U.S. citizens working in science and engineering positions.  These efforts should not, however, be at the expense of foreign-born talent that the U.S. needs and values.

The National Science Board made many recommendations for improving the state of the science and engineering industries, including offering considerable new support to undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students and learning institutions that provide incentives to those studying in these fields.  The report recommended that instructors of these fields receive better compensation and training, as they provide an essential role in these professions.

The Board also suggested an effort to better understand international science and engineering dynamics and figure out the best way to balance the security requirements, and at the same time supporting policies that continue to attract foreign-born scientists and engineers.