OPINION: It’s time to strengthen Alaska’s STEM workforce

Workforce shortages have been plaguing the U.S. across several industries, and the problems are no different here in Alaska. As a lifelong Alaskan, I have seen over the years just how successful and driven our residents can be, but times have changed after the pandemic and our state has had the highest rate of employee resignation over the past year at nearly 4%.

While recruitment, training and other efforts are being made to fill labor gaps, there are some positions where the task is not quite so simple. When it comes to STEM sectors, for example, oftentimes extensive education in those specific topics is a requirement, we need both native-born Americans and foreign born individuals to fill these critical roles.

The U.S. is currently facing STEM workforce gaps while other countries like China are expanding their STEM industries. As a result, we need to provide more opportunities for foreign-born advanced STEM degree holders to remain in and contribute to the U.S. to shift that trend. For example, international students on temporary visas make up more than 50% of doctoral degrees in economics, computer sciences, engineering, math and statistics. With the right opportunities, they can fill essential STEM positions and push our country ahead of the competition for intelligence globally, but only if immigration policies allow them to do so. This is of increased importance as global powers like China are growing their competitive edge, building out their own STEM workforces, and achieving significant innovative advancements. We need to be ensuring that the best talent remains in the U.S., and isn’t going to our competitors or countries like China and Russia, with could pose a national security risk and hurt our global competitiveness.

Unfortunately, our country’s outdated immigration system causes unnecessary stress for many foreign-born students who want to pursue opportunities in STEM in the U.S., as persistent backlogs and restrictions get in their way. Sending intelligent, talented, highly educated STEM students elsewhere is ultimately a threat, and in order to keep the U.S. safe and on top of the field, we need to keep all the best and brightest in the U.S.

Thankfully, the Biden administration announced several initiatives meant to further attract STEM students to America from around the world, including adding additional months to J-1 visas and adding new fields of study to the existing Student and Exchange Visitor program, but more needs to be done.

The America COMPETES Act would give certain skilled foreign-born STEM students greater opportunities to continue living and working in America upon their graduation and has passed the House of Representatives. The Senate passed a similar but more narrow version of the bill. Now, both chambers are going to conference committee, where conferees will work to establish a middle ground on the legislation. When they do, it’s critical that the COMPETES Act STEM provisions are included.

Both Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan voted in favor of the Senate version of the bill, and I encourage them to prioritize moving this legislation forward with these STEM provisions included, not just for the benefit of Alaska, but for the entire country. Staying on top of innovation in the 21st century and protecting our national security is imperative.

Lesil McGuire served six years in the Alaska State House (2001-2007) and 10 years in the State Senate (2007-2017).

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