Van Horn C.E., Fichtner A.
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, US
Keywords: education, skills, workforce
Nanotechnology is having significant impact on the workforce and skill needs of companies. In order for firms to fully realize the potential of new technologies, firms must have a supply of workers with the skills needed in the areas of research and development and production / manufacturing. To better understand these issues, the authors are completing a study of the workforce needs of nanotechnology firms. The five-year study is being conducted with funding from the National Science Foundation as part of the Center for Nanotechnology and Society at Arizona State University. The authors propose to present the results of the first year of the study at the Nanotech 2007 conference. The first year of the study, which will be completed in March 2007, focuses on the workforce needs of nanotechnology firms in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. Southern Arizona is home to significant clusters of biotechnology, microelectronic and optics firms that are using nanotechnology. The study uses a survey of firms, a review of existing data and interviews with firms and educational institutions to: 1. Assess the demand for nanotechnology workers, 2. Review the capacity of educational institutions to meet the demand and 3. Identify strategies for meeting the workforce needs.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Technical Proceedings of the 2007 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: May 20, 2007
Pages: 627 - 630
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Advanced Manufacturing
ISBN: 1-4200-6182-8