An Analysis of Projections of the Demand for Engineers in Canada and Ontario and An Inquiry into Substitution Between Engineers and Technologists

The first part of this report presents a comparative analysis of three studies of engineering manpower projections and a forecast of the number of engineering graduates required for Ontario to 1980. The projections are based on the extrapolation of past trends, but do not take account of major structural changes in the factors affecting the demand for engineers. One such factor may be the development and rapid expansion of the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology and corresponding increased availability of technologists and technicians who might be substituted for engineers in some positions. Thus, the second part of the report presents the findings of an interview study of 16 firms that was designed to explore the question of substitution. In addition to the quantitative effects on the demand for engineers, it was desired to study the qualitative aspects, i.e., the type of work functions that graduate engineers are desired for and the speed with which they advance to higher levels. (HS)