Why The Emphasis on 'Advanced Training' Rather Than 'Science and Engineering'?


While PEAT will focus much of its energy on advanced training in science and engineering, many of the features of the current labor market stresses are broader than the traditional S&E category; fields like medicine, economics, law, and software development both compete with and resemble aspects of the traditional science and engineering labor market.  What these fields appear to share in common is at least two of the following three criteria:
 

  1. Long Training and Apprenticeship Periods Preceding Permanent Employment

    2.  
  2. Vertical and Analytically Demanding Technical Training

    3.  
  3. Highly Specialized Competencies


These combinations often lead to high risk investments in fields by individuals carrying high opportunity costs. It is likely that individuals who would consider investing in science and engineering training, might also be given to consider other similar investments in these related disciplines.