With 1 in 3 engineering roles unfilled, Engineers Without Borders USA prepares the next generation

Denver, CO –The United States is facing a desperate need for engineers. The Boston Consulting Group estimates the country will require about 400,000 new engineers each year. Yet nearly one in three engineering roles go unfilled due to a skills gap. The consequences are already visible, from delayed infrastructure projects to strained utilities, and communities waiting longer for essential services. Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) is helping tackle this challenge head-on by preparing students with on-the-ground experience, leadership and teamwork training, and the development of real-world problem-solving skills that employers say are missing in recent graduates. 

As the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the National Governors Association call for strategic training and partnerships to address the generational engineering workforce shortage, EWB-USA is responding by showing students that engineering is more than just calculations and paperwork, it’s about helping communities and improving lives. Through immersive volunteer projects in the U.S. and around the world, leadership and teamwork training, and STEM career workshops at community colleges, EWB-USA equips future engineers with both technical and professional skills. 

Volunteers with EWB-USA work closely with communities in the U.S. and around the world to solve real problems. Throughout this process, they receive mentorship from experienced professionals and gain valuable experience in areas such as project scheduling, budgeting, stakeholder communication, and engineering design. They also develop leadership and teamwork skills that most engineers typically do not acquire until several years into their careers.

For over two decades, students have seen their career paths shaped by EWB-USA. Volunteers like Katie Byrnes, for example, who started as a first-year student at Miami University of Ohio in 2014 and joined the chapter’s flagship Rwanda project, discovered her passion for environmental engineering and consulting, despite majoring in mechanical and chemical engineering. Her volunteer experience led her to roles at Brown and Caldwell and later CDM Smith, both companies with strong EWB-USA partnerships. 

“EWB-USA guided the direction of my career, helped with interviews and applications, and connected me with a network of peers and mentors,” Katie says. “I didn’t study environmental engineering, I studied mechanical and chemical engineering. So, I think without EWB-USA, I would have had a lot harder time getting into the industry and making those connections.”

Employers say they see the difference the EWB-USA experience makes, too: 

“The problem-solving skills and field experience students gain from these trips are valuable both to us and to the volunteers’ professional growth,” says Harland Zamora at Black & Veatch. “They are exposed to project scheduling, estimating, budgeting, engineering design, and the development of soft skills. They must also communicate directly with others who may not even speak the same language.”

Mr. Zamora noted that many of EWB-USA’s volunteers take on early leadership roles, ultimately gaining experience that puts them ahead of their peers.

As infrastructure, water, and environmental engineering employers struggle to fill critical roles, EWB-USA offers a proven model for developing job-ready engineers while serving communities in need.

Companies interested in partnering with EWB-USA to help train the next generation of engineers succeed can learn more at: https://ewb-usa.org/Corporate-Engagement

---

About Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA)

Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) is a nonprofit organization advancing sustainable, community-driven engineering solutions that meet basic human needs. Since 2002, the organization has completed more than 1,200 projects in over 700 communities, improving the lives of more than 5.2 million people. In 2024 alone, EWB-USA reached over 325,000 people, with a majority of projects focused on expanding access to safe water. EWB-USA is committed to developing globally-minded leaders who will continue shaping a more sustainable and equitable world.

Connect with EWB-USA by visiting their website: ewb-usa.org or by following them on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. 

source https://zweiglist.com/with-1-in-3-engineering-roles-unfilled-engineers-without-borders-usa-prepares-the-next-generation/