Filling the Talent Gap

Abstract

This article focuses on the need of engineers with the skills to build the Internet of Things (IoT) in the mechanical engineering industry. Many companies, especially those that cannot afford to train young employees, expect universities to do a better job in teaching mechanical engineering students practical IoT skills. Training efforts by corporations and organizations can help teach young mechanical engineers how to incorporate IoT technologies on the job. ASME hosts a series of global engineering competitions called the IShow, challenging young engineers to design a marketable product that will have a social impact. The University of Wisconsin–Madison IoT Lab is ‘a tech sandbox’ that is expected to bring together engineering and non-engineering students. Experts believe that one of the best ways to train young engineers is to have students from different majors collaborate on hands-on projects that include IoT components. A handful of university engineering departments have developed initiatives in which they are set up in partnership with government or industry, which are turning to universities to understand IoT and figure out how to take advantage of the technologies and related business and marketing strategies.