[JohnSmithee]

"We need to have high tech workers."

Engineering has been in decline for years. Just check out the Want Ads from any large parper to get an idea of what skills are in demand.

[Dan Evans]

Engineering has been in decline in the US because manufacturing has declined. Reasons are:

1) An excess population of lawyers, environmentalists and bureaucrats suing, harassing and regulating manufacturers into oblivion.
2) A lack of workers who have sufficient skills because of out lousy primary education system.
3) A Clinton administration that did everything it could to open up US markets to manufacturers in foreign countries that do not deserve out patronage.

These things can be reversed.

[_Jim]

Just check out the Want Ads from any large parper

WRONG basis for comparison - LARGELY that's where advertising for common jobs takes place ...