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1.INTRODUCTIONThe purpose of the present study was to assess U.S. industry demand for two-year degreed optics and photonics technicians. The study represents a follow-up study to a report completed in 2009, that assessed the national demand for optics and photonics technicians, including graduates of both 2-year and 4-year programs (Hull, Ruggiere, and Illich, 2009). Although the present study was conducted by the same authors and used many of the same questions included in the 2009 demand study, the inclusion criteria were altered to restrict inclusion to respondents who currently employ 2-year degreed photonics technicians or plan to employ 2-year degreed photonics technicians. A copy of the survey instrument is included in the Appendix of this summary report. The survey targeted 4,217 firms listed in Laurin Publishing Company’s Photonics Corporate Guide. The University of North Texas Survey Research Center, located in Denton, Texas, conducted the phone survey from January 2012 to March 2012. Among the 629 companies that were contacted, 346 met the screening criteria. Respondents were categorized into the following six firm size groups: 1-5, 6-10, 11-20, 21-50, greater than 50, and unknown. To adjust for differences in the percentage of companies within each firm size between the sample data and the population data, the responses were statistically weighted by firm size. Another difference between the 2009 study and the present study was the inclusion of a region variable to allow for regional level analyses. The present report provides a brief summary of the key findings. Figure 1 illustrates the seven regions identified by OP-TEC along with the total number of photonics employers within the region, as displayed in the white squares. The number and percent of sample respondents from each region compared to the number and percent of the national population of employers are shown in Table 1. The regional proportions of sample respondents were similar in pattern to the regional proportions of the target national population of employers. This finding suggests that the sample results can be applied to the target population, which we estimate to contain 4,217 firms in the optics and photonics industry. The estimates for the current number of photonics technicians as well as the 1-year and 5-year demand for photonics technicians were based on this assumption. Overall ResultsEstimates/Projections of Current Number, 1-Year Demand, and 5-Year DemandTable 2 includes comparisons between the 2009 survey and the current survey for the estimated number of photonics technicians, 1-year demand for photonics technicians, and 5-year demand for photonics technicians. Table 2.Estimate of current number of photonics technicians and 1-year and 5-year demand projections.  Based on the results from the present study, an estimated 19,128 photonics technicians are currently employed in the U.S. This figure is very similar to the 2009 projection of 19,785. Because the instrument utilized in the present study included only companies that employed or planned to employ 2-year degreed photonics technicians, the projection included an adjustment based on the percentage of companies in the 2009 study that indicated they employed or plan to employ 2-year degreed photonics technicians. The conservative nature of the present estimate suggests that the actual number of photonics technicians in the U.S. is well above 20,000. The 1-year demand and 5-year demand projections from the present study were not adjusted to reflect the more restrictive screening criteria of the 2012 survey. Because demand projections were based on a respondent’s estimate of the number of photonics technicians they anticipate needing in the future, applying an adjustment could yield inflated projections. The present study projections are thus conservative projections of 1-year and 5-year demand for 2-year degreed photonics technicians. The 1-year demand for the present study was 1,592 technicians and the 5-year demand was 4,115. These projections reflect the demand for only 2-year degreed technicians compared to the 2009 survey projections which reflected demand for both 2-year and 4-year degreed technicians. These results suggest that there continues to be an expansive gap between the estimated 280-300 two-year degreed photonics graduates produced each year and the existing demand for photonics technicians. In the 2009 survey, 74% of the respondents indicated a general need for additional photonics technicians. This figure increased 6% in the 2012 study with 80% of the respondents indicating a need for additional photonics technicians. Although the national unemployment rate has remained above 8% since 2009, the demand for photonics technicians has remained strong. This result represents one of the primary outcomes of the present study. Compensation of Photonics TechniciansFigure 2 depicts the average annual salary from both the 2009 and 2012 demand surveys. The average annual salary for photonics technicians was $41,137 with a standard deviation of +/- $13,896 for the present study compared to $39,082 and a standard deviation of +/- $13,320 observed in the 2009 demand survey. This difference represents a 5.3% increase in average annual compensation from 2009 to 2012. Given that the respondents in the present study were reporting compensation figures for 2-year degreed photonics technicians only, the actual percent increase is likely to be greater than the estimated 5.4% reported here. Satisfaction with Photonics TechniciansAmong the 346 survey respondents, 136 responded to the question related to satisfaction with entry-level preparedness of two-year degreed photonics technicians. Sixty-one percent (61%) of respondents indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the preparedness of 2-year photonics technician graduates. Thirty-three percent (33%) of respondents indicated that they were neutral on the question and 6% indicated they were either dissatisfied (5%) or very dissatisfied (1%). These findings suggest that while most employers are satisfied with the preparedness of 2-year degreed photonics technicians, there is substantial opportunity for improvement with nearly 40% of respondents expressing neutrality or dissatisfaction. Interest in Online Photonics TrainingAmong the 346 survey respondents, 155 of the company representatives responded to the question assessing interest in online training for their photonics technicians. Forty-six percent (46%) of the respondents indicated that they would be interested in online education/training for their photonics technicians to enhance the understanding of photonics concepts. Assuming that all of the 53.9% of the respondents who chose not to answer the training question would have no interest in online training, the 46% who did indicate an interest translates to 1,045 companies nationally that would have an interest in online training for their photonics technicians. Gender and EthnicityFigure 3 depicts the percentage of photonics technicians by gender and ethnicity for the current demand study and the 2009 study. The percentage of female photonics technicians increased by 5 percentage points and the percentage of minority photonics technicians increased by 10 percentage points. However, these changes may be at least partly due to the differences in survey methodology with the 2012 survey focusing on companies who currently employ or plan to employ 2-year degreed photonics technicians. Estimates from the current demand survey suggest that 19% of U.S. photonics technicians are female and 81% are male. In terms of ethnicity, it estimated that 61% of photonics technicians are Anglo, 14% Hispanic, 4% African American, and 18% Asian. The percentage of Asian technicians is twice the percentage reported in 2009. Although these findings appear to suggest that substantial progress has been made in increasing gender and ethnic diversity among photonics technicians, the results should be interpreted with caution based on methodological differences between the two studies. Educational Qualification Preferences for Photonics TechniciansFigure 4 depicts percent of respondent preferences for the educational background necessary for a photonics technician to be successful. In the current survey, 53% of respondents indicated that a 2-year degree or certificate was necessary for a photonics technician to be successful. This result was 6 percentage points higher than the 2009 result. For the current survey, only 22% of respondents indicated that a 4-year degree or certificate was necessary for a photonics technician to be successful. Although the results should be interpreted with caution based on methodological differences between the two studies, the findings confirm that the 2-year certificate or degree continues to be the preferred educational background among employers of photonics technicians. Regional ResultsEstimates/Projections of Current Number, 1-Year Demand, and 5-Year Demand by RegionEstimates of the current number of photonics technicians, 1-year demand projections, and 5-year demand projections for photonics technicians are shown in the Table 3. The regional estimates and projections utilized the overall national estimates and projections in Table 2 as the aggregate targets. The relative regional proportions of employed technicians and perceived 1-year and 5- year demand projections were used to establish regional estimates and projections. Table 3.Estimates/Projections of Current Number, 1-Year, and 5-Year Demand for Photonics Technicians by Region  The New England and West regions employ the largest number of photonics technicians with the New England region employing over 5,800 technicians and the West over 4,700 technicians. The Northeast region employs the smallest number of photonics technicians. The projected 1-Year demand ranged from 46 technicians within the Northwest region to over 400 in the West region. The projected 5-Year demand ranged from 136 technicians in the Northwest region to over 1,100 technicians in the West region. The West and New England regions each have demand for more technicians than are produced nationally each year by 2-year U.S. colleges. Figure 5 depicts the percentage of respondents indicating a need for additional photonics technicians by region. The percentage of respondents indicating a need for additional technicians ranged from 69% in the Northwest region to 87% in the Northeast region. Compensation of Photonics Technicians by RegionTable 4 includes the average annual salary, sample size, and standard deviation for each of the seven regions. The average annual salary for entry-level photonics technicians ranged from a low of $36,865 in the New England region to a high of $51,112 in the Northwest region. The standard deviations were relatively large indicating substantial differences across employers. Satisfaction with Photonics Technicians by RegionTable 5 includes the percentage and number of respondents indicating that they were very satisfied or satisfied with the preparedness of entry-level 2-year degree photonics technicians. The percentage of respondents satisfied with the preparedness of entry-level photonics technicians ranged from 40% in the Southwest region to 67% in the New England region. Interest in Online Photonics Training by TrainingTable 6 includes the percentage and number of respondents indicating an interest in online training for their photonics technicians. The percentage of respondents interested in online training for their photonics technicians ranged from 23% in the Northwest region to 68% in the Northeast region. Key FindingsThe present study was designed to assess both national and regional demand for 2-year degreed photonics technicians. The study produced the following key findings:
The present findings are consistent with previous estimates and demand projections reported in a 2009 national photonics employer demand survey. The current study clearly demonstrates a need to increase the U.S. capacity to produce qualified photonics technicians to reduce the gap between the production of photonics graduates and strong employer demand. The results also show that there is substantial room for improvement in the preparedness of entry-level 2-year degreed photonics technicians. The present findings can be used to implement targeted national and regional strategies to meet industry demand of effectively prepared photonics technicians AppendicesAPPENDIXINTERVIEW SCRIPT 2012 OP-TEC NEEDS ASSESSMENTQ: INTRO Hello, my name is________________with the University of North Texas Survey Research Center. May I speak to the human resources manager or the person in charge of hiring photonics technicians? TO RESPONDENT: Hello, my name is_________________with the University of North Texas Survey Research Center. We are conducting a survey of employers to get an understanding of the optics, laser and photonics- related jobs in your organization and the key knowledge and skills related to those jobs. We are conducting the survey for OP- TEC, which is a non- profit National Center that is funded by the National Science Foundation to support the education (or preparation) of community college students for positions in optics, lasers and photonics technology. We’re conducting this survey on OP-TEC’s behalf so that they will have better information from companies about their expectations for people they hire. If you have any questions regarding this study you may speak to a project manager at 800- 687- 7055. Your responses will remain confidential; we will only publish aggregated information. Q: Q1 Do you currently employ individuals with a 4-year degree in science or engineering where the degree included significant optics or photonics content? >>INTERVIEWER: IF ASKED, >>THIS INCLUDES ALL LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. Q: Q1A Do you plan to employ individuals with a 4-year degree in science or engineering where the degree included significant optics or photonics content? Q: Q2 Do you currently have 2-year degreed photonics technicians or photonics-related technicians in your company? >>INTERVIEWER: IF ASKED, >>THIS INCLUDES ALL LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. Interviewer: For all the remaining questions in the survey make certain the respondent understands that, where specified, these questions pertain only to photonics or photonics-related technicians and do not pertain to engineers and scientists with 4-year degrees or higher. Q: Q3 In the next five years, do you anticipate a need in your company for 2-year degreed photonics technicians and/orphotonics-related technicians? >>INTERVIEWER: IF ASKED, >>THIS INCLUDES ALL LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. IF (Q2=2) and IF (Q3=2) SKP THANK3 Q: Q4 Please indicate the approximate number of photonics technicians and photonics-related technicians currently employed in your company throughout the United States. (IF GIVEN A RANGE, PROBE TO GET ONE NUMBER) (INTERVIEWER: USE 99999 FOR NR/DK) IF (Q2 > 1) SKP Q5 Q: Q4B How many photonics technicians and photonics-related technician positions are not filled at this time? (INTERVIEWER: USE 99999 FOR NR/DK) Q: Q4C How many total people are employed in your company at your location only? Number (IF GIVEN A RANGE, PROBE TO GET ONE NUMBER) (INTERVIEWER: USE 99999 FOR NR/DK) Q: Q4D How many total people are employed in your company at all locations throughout the United States? Number _____ (IF GIVEN A RANGE, PROBE TO GET ONE NUMBER) Q: Q5 Over the next five years do you expect your need for photonics technicians and photonics-related technicians to increase, decrease or stay the same as they are now? 1. Increase 2. Decrease 3. Stay the same as they are now 9. DK/NR IF (ANS = 2) SKP Q5C IF (ANS > 2) SKP Q6 Q: Q5A How much of an increase do you anticipate for the next YEAR? (INTERVIEWER: RESP CAN GIVE A NUMBER OR A PERCENTAGE, SELECT WHICH THEY) 1. NUMBER OF PEOPLE 2. PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE 9. DK/NR Q: Q5B How much of an increase do you anticipate for the next FIVE years? (INTERVIEWER: RESP CAN GIVE A NUMBER OR A PERCENTAGE, SELECT WHICH THEY PROVIDE THEN ENTER INFO ON NEXT SCREEN) 1. NUMBER OF PEOPLE 2. PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE 9. DK/NR SKP Q5 Q: Q5C How much of a decrease do you anticipate for the next YEAR? (INTERVIEWER: RESP CAN GIVE A NUMBER OR A PERCENTAGE, SELECT WHICH THEY PROVIDE THEN ENTER INFO ON NEXT SCREEN) 1. NUMBER OF PEOPLE 2. PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE 9. DK/NR Q: Q5D How much of a decrease do you anticipate for the next FIVE years? (INTERVIEWER: RESP CAN GIVE A NUMBER OR A PERCENTAGE, SELECT WHICH THEY PROVIDE THEN ENTER INFO ON NEXT SCREEN) 1. NUMBER OF PEOPLE 2. PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE 9. DK/NR Q: Q6 What is the average yearly starting salary for an entry-level photonics technician or photonics-related technician in your organization? (INTERVIEWER: TRY TO GET THE ANNUAL AMOUNT, USE OTHERS AS LAST RESORT) 1. HOURLY RATE 2. WEEKLY 3. MONTHLY 4. ANNUAL SALARY 9. DK/NR IF (Q2 > 1) SKP Q7 Q: Q7 Which of the following categories best describes your industry? 1. Lighting and illumination 2. Communications 3. Medicine 4. Manufacturing/Materials Processing (INTERVIEWER: IF CLARIFICATION NEEDED, INDICATE THAT THIS CATEGORY INCLUDES OPTICAL OR SENSOR MATERIALS PROCESSING, HIGH-POWERED LASER MACHINING SYSTEMS, ALIGNMENT/MEASUREMENT/METROLOGY APPLICATIONS OR EQUIPMENT) 5. Opto-Electronics/Nanotechnology (INTERVIEWER: IF CLARIFICATION NEEDED, INDICATE THAT THIS CATEGORY INCLUDES MINIATURIZATION/MICROSYSTEMS, OPTICAL MICROLITHOGRAPHY, OR SEMICONDUCTOR AND SENSOR MATERIAL FABRICATION) 6. Imaging and Remote Sensing (INTERVIEWER: IF CLARIFICATION NEEDED, INDICATE THAT THIS CATEGORY INCLUDES ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL/MONITORING APPLICATIONS, ASSEMBLY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CAMERAS AND READOUT ELECTRONICS, HOMELAND SECURITY, OTHER SIGNAL/IMAGING PROCESSING, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE/TRANSPORTATION APPLICATIONS.) 7. Laser Original Equipment Manufacturing (INTERVIEWER: IF CLARIFICATION NEEDED, INDICATE THAT THIS CATEGORY INCLUDES DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE LASERS OR SYSTEMS USING LASERS) 8. Optics Manufacturing 9. Other (Please describe) 99. NR/DK Q: Q8 In your organization, what is the educational background perceived as necessary for a technician to work successfully in photonics? (PROBE IF ANSWER DOES NOT FIT. PROBE FOR ONE RESPONSE) 1. Vocational technical high school or career center 2. Comprehensive high school 3. 2-year technical or community college (certificate or associate degree) 4. Formal employer-sponsored apprenticeship program 5. Four-year baccalaureate 9. NR/DK IF (Q2 > 1) SKP Q14 Q: Q9A How many of your technicians who work in photonics have obtained the following levels of education? Not finished high school High school only Two-year technical college Four-year baccalaureate Formal apprentice training program Q:Q10 Please rate your satisfaction with the entry-level preparedness of 2-year college photonics technician graduates. Very Satisfied; Satisfied; Neutral; Dissatisfied, Very Dissatisfied Q: Q11A How many of your technicians who work in photonics are: Hispanic Black/African American Asian Another minority racial group Q: Q12 Approximately what percentage of your technicians who work in photonics are female? Q: Q13 Would your organization be interested in online education/training that would provide your technicians an opportunity to enhance their understanding of photonics concepts? Q: Q14 Do you have any comments regarding the Photonics industry or photonics education that you would like to share with us today? 1. YES, (SPECIFY) 2. NO 9. NR/DK Q: THANK Q: Q15 Would you be willing to participate in another potential photonics related survey in the future? IF (ANS > 1) SKP THANK Q: Q15A What is the best number to reach you at? 1. NUMBER WE DIALED 2. NEW NUMBER 9. DK/NR Q: Q15B Please tell me your first and last name again. FIRST: LAST: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND COOPERATION. HAVE A GOOD DAY. |
