VOA标准英语2008年-Lack of High-Tech Workers Could Cost US Competi

A new education survey reveals that chief executives at America's largest corporations fear the U.S. could lose its competitive edge in science and technology because of a shortage of trained workers. Leaders questioned in the survey advocate greater investment in education to attract skilled workers who can meet the technological¹ challenges of the 21st century.

Bob Allen talks a lot about "human capital." To this senior executive with CH2M Hill, a $6.2 billion engineering company with 25,000 employees, human capital means a skilled workforce². Engineers make up two-thirds of the human capital at CH2M Hill. These men and women are working on projects as diverse as managing the engineering and construction contracts for the 2012 Olympics to the widening of the Panama Canal.

"You need people to do that, and you need the best people, and in our case, it is people who have science, technology, engineering and math backgrounds," he said.
　
CH2M Hill employees take part in National Engineers Week each February to teach students about the role science plays in society.

The employee-owned company -- named by Fortune Magazine as one of the most admired in America -- has been successful in attracting and keeping talented workers. But Allen shares the same concerns as executives from America's largest corporations, many of whom took part in the 13th annual "Bayer Facts of Science Education Survey."

Ninety-five percent of those executives said the U.S. is in danger of losing its global leadership position in science and technology because of a shortage of those workers.

Allen says this comes as a consequence lack of investment in science education. He says companies must begin to make "decisions today to increase the level of interest and the participation³ of students in engineering so that 10 to 15 years out we will have the type of workforce that will allow us to maintain [our] leadership."
　
Astronaut Mae C. Jemison, Bayer's national Making Science Make Sense spokesperson, meets with Biotech Partners' intern⁴ Shakita Jamison.

Six in 10 executives said that the U.S. education system is failing. Allen says gifted graduates are entering the marketplace, but simply not enough of them. He says while his company and others are investing in school programs that help raise competency in science, it should be a national mandate⁵ that government and business join to do more if the U.S. is to remain competitive worldwide.

He says the growing economies in China and India in particular understand that reality. "They are seeing certainly as a national imperative⁶ for them to raise the level of their education and there is clearly a strong government presence ensuring that that happens."

Allen says the same thing has to take place in the United States.

Women and minorities are a source of untapped talent, according to the survey. Currently women hold 25 percent of the jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Minorities make up an even smaller share. Ninety-eight percent of those surveyed said women and minorities could significantly reduce the burden. Allen says this is especially critical as the baby boom generation retires and younger workers take their place.
　
Bayer scientist Pat Jacobs conducts experiments with middle school students on the Bayer campus in Pittsburgh.

"Not only is it the right thing to do, but there is certainly a benefit to the businesses that are out there," he said.

Bayer's effort to promote science literacy in schools across the country is called the "Making Science Make Sense Initiative." Bridget McCourt is the project director. She says the company's 13th annual survey underscores the importance of science education as the foundation of an informed electorate⁷.

"It's important that everyone [has] a good base for science so that when they are asked to vote for political officials at all levels, if there is an issue that is related to these fields on the table they're well versed⁸ in what is taking place and they can make educated decisions," she said.

McCourt hopes the survey conveys the urgent need for more extensive and targeted science education programs -- and that it prompts corporate⁹ America and the U.S. government to take actions to make that happen.

1 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

2 workforce   

n.劳动大军，劳动力

参考例句：

• A large part of the workforce is employed in agriculture.劳动人口中一大部分受雇于农业。
• A quarter of the local workforce is unemployed.本地劳动力中有四分之一失业。

3 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

4 intern   

v.拘禁，软禁；n.实习生

参考例句：

• I worked as an intern in that firm last summer.去年夏天我在那家商行实习。
• The intern bandaged the cut as the nurse looked on.这位实习生在护士的照看下给病人包扎伤口。

5 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。

6 imperative   

n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的

参考例句：

• He always speaks in an imperative tone of voice.他老是用命令的口吻讲话。
• The events of the past few days make it imperative for her to act.过去这几天发生的事迫使她不得不立即行动。

7 electorate   

n.全体选民；选区

参考例句：

• The government was responsible to the electorate.政府对全体选民负责。
• He has the backing of almost a quarter of the electorate.他得到了几乎1/4选民的支持。

8 versed   

adj. 精通，熟练

参考例句：

• He is well versed in history.他精通历史。
• He versed himself in European literature. 他精通欧洲文学。

9 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。