Nagappa Ravindra, president of Ravi Engineering and Land Surveying P.C. testified in Washington, D.C., on April 25, as part of a panel on "Help Wanted: The Small Business STEM Workforce Shortage and Immigration Reform."
Two unfilled STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) jobs exist for every unemployed STEM worker in the U.S., according to a release from the House Committee on Small Business. The hearing focused on how the STEM workforce shortage is affecting the viability of small businesses and what may be necessary to help them meet their STEM workforce needs.
The hearing included discussion including the extent of the workforce shortage, its economic effects on small firms and whether immigrant and guest worker visas reduce or improve wages and opportunities for American workers.
Ravindra, a native of India who started his own business in 1995, is a member of the American Council of Engineering Companies. He testified growth in the field is limited by a lack of qualified and experienced engineers. He urged Congress to expand the H-1B visa program so firms like his will be able to hire the necessary talent to meet their clients' needs. H-1B visas allow U.S. firms to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations Tags: