Paul Tonko: “This being National Engineers Week, I rise to recognize the importance of STEM education and training for our future…”

“This being National Engineers Week, I rise to recognize the importance of STEM education and training for our future engineers. It has been projected that our Nation will need almost 2 million engineers by 2018, and that some fields in engineering will experience a 30 to 70 percent growth during that timeframe. Despite these critical workforce needs, a vast majority of schools do not offer K through 12 education that creates clear pathways into careers in engineering and STEM-related feeds. This week, I visited Tech Valley High School in Albany, New York, in the 20th District, to highlight this need and celebrate the good work being done in my congressional district to close the skills gap we see in this very vital discipline. The nations that lead the global economy of the future will be those that invest in the education of their next generation--particularly in engineering. I urge my colleagues to recognize this need and to work in their own communities to bolster engineering education nationwide and allow our Nation to become the kingpin of the future international economy. Let's grow and cultivate those engineers. ____________________”