Two high-tech engineering companies have announced expansions as they continue to look for qualified workers.
In Ontario, New York, Optimax Systems Incorporated said it will hire 30 more manufacturing engineers this year, and will seek out future workers at local colleges and high schools, according to the Wayne Messenger Post.
"We want to create a buzz that Optimax is growing in the Rochester area, and we need manufacturing engineers, who can create manufacturing solutions, in addition to optical components," Rick Plympton, chief executive officer of Optimax, told the news agency.
The company, which is the country's largest optics manufacturer, specializes in products for the aerospace, solar, medical and defense industries.
In Wisconsin, Fond du Lac-based Mercury-Marine said it is having a tough time finding qualified engineers to fill a number of positions.
WTAQ reports that the company has started the "Fond du Lac STEM Academy," a charter school for third through fifth graders, to help avoid a massive talent shortage of engineers in the future.
A Wisconsin-based group called "Project Lead the Way" said the U.S. is not producing nearly enough qualified engineering talent to fill a growing need.