This article was adapted from an article appearing on USNews.com on June 10, 2013.

About 20 percent of all American jobs are now in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, with half of those open to workers who don't have a four-year college degree, according to a new report by the Brookings Institution called "The Hidden STEM Economy."

Those jobs constitute a "hidden STEM economy," the Washington, D.C.-based think tank says, because they are "prevalent in every large metropolitan area," but many people believe at least a bachelor's degree is necessary to work in careers that require STEM skills. Many of these so-called "blue-collar" stem jobs are in construction, installation, manufacturing and health care. They include registered nurses, mechanics, carpenters and electricians.

"Of the $4.3 billion spent annually by the federal government on STEM education and training, only one-fifth goes towards supporting sub-bachelor's level training, while twice as much supports bachelor's or higher level-STEM careers," the report says. "The vast majority of National Science Foundation spending ignores community colleges. In fact, STEM knowledge offers attractive wage and job opportunities to many workers with a post-secondary certificate or associate's degree."

STEM jobs that don't require a four-year degree pay about $53,000 on average, about 10 percent higher than non-STEM jobs available to people with similar education backgrounds. "Today, there are two STEM economies. The professional STEM economy of today is closely linked to graduate school education, maintains close links with research universities, but functions mostly in the corporate sector. It plays a vital function in keeping American businesses on the cutting edge of technological development and deployment. Its workers are generally compensated extremely well," the report says. "The second STEM economy draws from high schools, workshops, vocational schools and community colleges. These workers today are less likely to be directly involved in invention, but they are critical to the implementation of new ideas, and advise researchers on feasibility of design options, cost estimates, and other practical aspects of technological development."

Of the country's 200 largest metropolitan areas, Silicon Valley's economy most relies on STEM workers, with a third of all employees in San Jose working in STEM jobs. Tech hubs such as San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Denver, Austin, Houston, Raleigh (a banking hub) and Hartford, Conn., are also STEM hotbeds, according to the report.

Proton OnSite is looking for an Applications Engineer to provide pre- and post-technical sales support to customers and sales representatives in order to determine which products and/or services best fit the customers' needs.

Proton OnSite designs, develops, and manufactures gas generating systems that are used in industrial, laboratory, and research facilities. Proton's HOGEN(R) hydrogen generators produce hydrogen from electricity and water in a clean and efficient process using its proprietary PEM technology while its line of nitrogen and air products utilize both membrane and PSA technologies to produce gases used for analytical chemistry. Proton is located in a 100,000 square foot facility that serves as the company's world headquarters located in Wallingford, CT.

Proton OnSite values personal initiative combined with loyalty and commitment to the team. They are looking for individuals with the ability to convert complex issues into simple solutions, excellent communication skills, and a strong sense of urgency in doing what it takes to get the job done.

Major responsibilities include performing customer requirements analysis to include process flow demand and profiling, backup storage and buffer tank sizing; determining which options are required and determine service level requirements; identifying areas for product improvement or needs for new products and product options, and performing the function of technical liaison between engineering and the sales team.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree (desired, but not required); 2-5 years of experience; knowledge of compressed gases, hydrogen safety, and installing electrical equipment; familiarity with power plant, light industrial and laboratory operations; basic computer skills; good verbal and written communication skills, and gas generator product knowledge (a plus).

Applicants should send resumes to Sandi Kelly in Human Resources. Due to the high volume of resumes, Proton OnSite is not able to respond personally to every application, but does review every resume, and will contact applicants who may be a possible fit.

A Solar Engineering firm in New Milford, Connecticut is seeking an Electric Engineer to join its team.

Job Description:

• In this position, you will coordinate directly with clients and internal staff to create design documents and construction plans for utility-scale PV systems.

• This position requires thorough knowledge of electrical design and engineering techniques, as well as CAD and graphics skills.

• This person is responsible to plan and conduct independent work requiring judgment in the evaluation, equipment selection, application and adaptation of engineering techniques, procedures and criteria.

• Develop new approaches to problems, and prepare or modify drawings, specifications, calculations, and monitor work for compliance to applicable codes, accepted engineering practices.

• Ensure consistency in design reviews, verification & qualification efforts. Participate in peer reviews.

• Make technology recommendations based on project site location and geographic conditions.

• Perform electrical site surveys using basic surveying tools, electrical safety equipment.

• Prepare site analysis reports regarding the feasibility of proposed projects and potential issues that may arise during construction.

• Utilize AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office tools in the development of project deliverables.

• Ability to write technical specifications, develop device and system level specification for external approvals.

• Provide technical support for interconnection and permitting efforts with municipalities and utilities.

• Support growth of a solar engineering team by providing guidance and technical direction to drafting team including the assignment and coordination of work to drafters.

Skills/Education/Experience:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electric Engineering with a minimum of five years of experience with advance knowledge in electrical engineering

• Understanding of utilities engineering and design

• Professional Engineering licensure required

• Proficient in ACAD.

• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Suite and strong verbal & written communication skills.

To reply with a resume and references, email Danielle Primini.

North Branford High School will host an Environmental Science Fair on Friday, May 24 from 8:00 am to 10:30 am. Professionals in science fields, including teachers and educators, are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Deb Mendillo at North Branford High School at DMendillo@northbranfordschools.org or (203) 484-1465 extension 13124.

The new Gateway Community College Small Engine Repair & Technology program provides the skills needed to perform small engine repairs and offers the option to test for the Equipment and Engineering Training Council (EETC) Certification. This intensive, 36-hour program includes three workshops designed to provide classroom and hands-on training in order to maintain, troubleshoot, identify problems and make repairs on a variety of small engine types. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's latest Occupational Outlook Handbook, the small engine mechanic field will see a 21% increase in job growth between now and 2020. For those with formal training, the outlook is particularly bright. Recent stories in the media also point to the explosive growth in sales of generators, snow blowers, riding lawn mowers, home-garden tractors and all kinds of motorized outdoor equipment.

The Gateway program will run on Thursdays and Fridays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. from May 16 through June 14 on Gateway's Long Wharf Campus at 60 Sargent Drive in New Haven. The 10th day is the testing day, when students can opt to be tested for the EETC Certification in three types of small engine repair.

The course outline includes:

Small Engine Technology 1 – the Basics. This workshop provides information on safety, tools, fuel, chemicals, starting and charging the equipment.

Small Engine Technology 2 - Principles of operation. The second workshop provides classroom and hands-on training in inspection, disassembly, reconditioning, preventive maintenance and troubleshooting.

Small Engine Technology 3 – Equipment. The last workshop features classroom and hands-on training on a variety of machines including lawn equipment, tractors, snow throwers, personal watercraft and generators as well as transmission drive systems.

The total cost of the program is $2,500, which includes a tool kit, texts and selected manuals. Gateway offers a payment plan for the program. For complete information or to register, contact Ann Harrison at 203-285-2309 or aharrison@gatewayct.edu.

Judges are needed for the 19th annual New Haven Science Fair to be held at University Commons at Woolsey Hall at Yale University from May 14 - 16, 2013.

The New Haven Science Fair Program was started in 1995 with seven test schools. In 2011, more than 8,000 New Haven students participated, utilizing more than 160 volunteers for mentoring and judging. The program is dedicated to improving the quality of science and math education education in the New Haven Public Schools for students in grades Pre-K through 12.

The New Haven Science Fair Program is a partnership involving businesses, institutions of higher education, associations, foundations, and private citizens, working with public school teachers, students, administrators, and parents. The goal of the program is to work with children and teachers to help them carry out investigative hands-on science fair projects in order to promote skills in critical thinking, the scientific process, and communication.

To register for judging, please go to the judges page at www.nhsciencefair.org . Evaluation sheets that are used are also there.

The New Haven Science Fair Program is administered by the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.

On March 21, 2013, acting Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau Nancy Santiago-Negrón addressed more than 100 people at the White House, discussing her professional experience helping women prepare for jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and environmental fields. "The importance of mentors for young women in STEM cannot be overstated," she said. "Mentors and strong networks make careers in STEM both a possibility for young girls and a reality for women entering the workforce."

Santiago-Negrón spoke at the 2nd Annual White House Women and the Environment Summit, which observed Women's History Month and recognized women who have addressed great environmental challenges. Participants discussed strategies to ensure that women continue to take an active role in protecting the environment.

Click here to view a photo gallery of the White House Women and the Environment Summit.

On March 6, 2013, Environmental Entrepreneurs released its 2012 Clean Energy Jobs Year-in-Review and Fourth Quarter Report, which found that companies and communities across the country announced more than 300 clean energy and clean transportation projects in 2012 that are expected to create 110,000 jobs.

Connecticut ranked fifth among all states in 2012 job announcements with 4,958 jobs expected to be created by four clean energy projects announced during 2012. In 2012, clean energy projects created jobs in every corner of the country. California, North Carolina and Florida led the nation, with Illinois, Connecticut, Arizona, New York, Michigan, Texas and Oregon rounding out the Top 10.

"It's now crystal-clear that clean energy and clean transportation are helping our economy recover," said Judith Albert, executive director of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), a nationwide network of business leaders who advocate for policies that benefit both the economy and the environment. "The projects and job announcements like we saw in 2012 can continue - as long as we don't let smart energy policies get hijacked by special interests."

For the complete Environmental Entrepreneurs report as well as a searchable, state-by-state database of clean energy job announcements, see www.e2.org/cleanjobs.

Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC) has invited six accomplished female scientists to speak with students at the fifth annual Scott Lawrence Pond Memorial Women in Science Seminar on Wednesday, April 3, from 11 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. The seminar will be held in Room E440 of Ekstrom Hall located at 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury.

Women in Science provides a forum in which local women scientists share their work and describe their personal and intellectual journey toward joining their respective fields. NVCC students and approximately 75 local middle school girls will attend to learn more about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) career paths. The public is also invited to register for the free event by calling 203-575-8065.

"We are very pleased to host this event for the fifth time," said NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. "We are particularly glad to do so this year in concert with the very exciting Connecticut State Bio Initiative, which is bringing the Jackson Labs to the UConn Health Center campus. This is an excellent time for women to consider a STEM career in our state and programs like the Women in Science seminar are introducing our students and local middle school students to the fascinating career opportunities available for women in STEM fields."

A brief luncheon will be provided following the event to encourage one-on-one conversations with the speakers, who include:

• Dr. Ruth Washington, founder and president of Forward Education Consulting, LLC, and former professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of Connecticut (UConn), Storrs;

• Keshia Ashe, chemical engineering Ph.D. candidate at UConn Health Center and co-founder of ManyMentors, a nonprofit organization focused on connecting middle and high school students interested in STEM fields with college-aged mentors;

• Dr. Carol Rizzolo, professor and researcher with a focus on the psychology and mythology of death;

• Dr. Yih-Woei Fridell, assistant professor of molecular biology in the Department of Allied Health Sciences at UConn with a research focus on the aging process;

• Mary Angelicola, former NVCC and Waterbury State Tech student with a career focus in industrial and commercial environmental management and manufacturing engineering; and

• Rabia Baz, chemical engineer at Evonik Industries, chair for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in New Haven, and NVCC graduate.

Call 203-575-8065 for more information on the Women in Science Seminar.