A majority of executives at science and technology companies in the United States worry about attracting and retaining enough qualified workers to remain competitive, a new survey found, but far fewer believe that recruiting more women and minorities to pursue careers in the traditionally male-dominated fields will help.

		Chart: STEM: Science, technology, engineering & mathematics

"The disconnect is that a large majority of CEOs are concerned about the U.S. losing its predominance in science and technology because of manpower ... but they are not fully recognizing the untapped talent pool of women and minorities," Bayer Corp. spokeswoman Sarah Toulouse said yesterday about the Bayer survey findings.

The concerns about the country's eroding position in math and sciences cited in the survey were further reinforced yesterday by U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce and former Pittsburgh technology executive David McCormick during a speech at the Duquesne Club, Downtown.

Citing Bush administration proposals to invest more in math and science education, Mr. McCormick lamented the gap between America and the rest of the world -- 17 percent of U.S. college graduates receive degrees in science or engineering vs. 52 percent in China and 27 percent in the rest of the world.

He argued that for this country to maintain its technological advantage, "we must continue to be the magnet for the world's best brains ... This is a battle we must win."

Women currently comprise one-fourth of the work force in science, technology, engineering and math fields, according to the Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology. Bayer, through its Making Science Make Sense program, has been attempting to raise the number by sending its employees to school classrooms across the country to conduct hands-on science projects to encourage more students to consider science and other technical fields.

Its survey, part of the Making Science Make Sense Initiative, polled 100 executives of firms with specialties in areas including biotechnology, computers, life sciences and engineering. Seventy-three of the executives were chief executive officers or presidents; the rest held other top positions, such as chief financial or chief technology officer.

While 65 percent of the polled executives said women and minorities were underrepresented in science and technical industries, only 45 percent believe that women and minorities were underrepresented at their own companies.

Moreover, while 83 percent of those surveyed said their companies have a role to play in encouraging women and minorities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math, only 21 percent said their firms have programs in place to do so.

A separate Bayer survey last year asking parents whether their school-age daughters faced gender bias in pursuing careers in science and engineering found a lack of female mentors and role models in those fields, and a shortage of programs to encourage girls to consider jobs in those areas.

"We followed up this year with a question for the executives about effectively communicating opportunities to students and 53 percent said they do not," said Ms. Toulouse. "It's up to [science, technology, engineering and math] companies to communicate to women and minorities that opportunities exist and provide mentors, role models and internships."

Even if they don't have formal programs in place at their businesses, most of the executives are thinking about exposing youngsters to science at an early age. Eighty percent of those surveyed agreed science should be taught in elementary schools as the fourth "R" after reading, writing and math.