STEM Crisis in the Auto Industry

Doug Patton

Executive Vice President, EngineeringDENSO International America, Inc.

President, DENSO North America Foundation

The Reality

21% of girls say their parents encourage them to become an actress; while only 10% of girls say their parents encourage them to think about a career in engineering.

– Harris Interactive for the American

Society for Quality, 2009[ ]

Who is DENSO?

Global Supplier of Advanced Automotive Technology, Systems and Components with $39.8 Billion in Sales (As of March 31, 2014)

Systems ProviderPowertrain Control SystemEngine management system, Gasoline direct injection, Hybrid components, Starter, Alternator, etc.

Thermal SystemsHeating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC), Compressor, Heat exchangers, Battery thermal management, etc.

Information & Communications SystemsInstrument cluster, Head-up display, Human machine interface technologies, Horn, Keyless entry, Wireless phone charger, etc.

Driving Control & Safety SystemsPassive safety technologies, Airbag sensing system, Active safety technologies, Traction control system, Antilock braking system, etc.

The DENSO Challenge

FINDING

RETAINING

Software Engineers • Electrical Engineers • Mechanical Engineers

What We’re Up Against

Negative reputation of being a slow moving, cyclical industry

Negative reputation of dirty jobs

What We’re Up Against

PERCEPTIONHow do we change perception?

SKILLSHow do we engage and prepare students to meet the needs of the industry?

ATTRACTHow do we attract students to work in automotive?[ ]

Where Do We Start – Excite Students

The transition between fifth and sixth grades is when most students can lose interest in math and science subjects (source: A World in Motion)

Support hands-on activitiesMentor and volunteerTours of manufacturing plants and tech centers

What can we do?

Hands-on Learning

Square One PartnershipThe Square One Education Network supports hands-on STEM initiatives, hosts unique professional development, and provides engaging STEM projects throughout the Great Lakes region for K – 12 students and teachers.

Part of the Process

What is Elevate Lab?DENSO’s Elevate Lab is a unique internal research and development group of engineers, designers and researchers who take a holistic approach to solve some of the industry’s biggest challenges, like distracted driving and teen driving dangers.

Building Partnerships

PARTNERSHIPS

PARENTS

Government SCHOOLSNON-PROFITS Community

BUSI

NES

SES

What We Need To Do

Influence curriculum to meet industry needsCo-ops and internship opportunitiesCreate a community where people want to workTraining and feeder programsCreate a work environment that fosters innovation and creativityIncrease diversity[ ]

How can we change perception?

We need to tackle the

STEM CHALLENGEdifferently.

Conclusion

[ ]