Forum Addresses Photonics Labor Shortage

Representatives from the Coalition for Photonics and Optics met in Washington with public policy-makers and human resource managers to discuss the labor shortage in the photonics industry. Of particular interest was the decline in science and engineering graduates, the lack of interest in math and science among schoolchildren, and the international competition for the base of qualified workers.

Vicki Hoffman of Coherent Inc. in Santa Clara, Calif., and Angela Kupps of E-Tek Dynamics Inc. in San Jose, Calif., suggested that human resource managers must develop effective recruitment and hiring approaches to realize the strategic plans of company leaders. Participants expressed concern over the cannibalization of competing firms for talented labor and urged the industry to support educational initiatives that will interest children in math and the physical sciences.