One of the frequent refrains we hear from manufacturing executives is that they are concerned about the lack of well-prepared engineering students emerging from universities. Although many manufacturers in the U.S. and Europe continue to move production—and production jobs—offshore, at home they are in greater need than ever of engineering and other technical workers who can design the products and processes of tomorrow. Without a fresh influx of such engineering talent, many worry that they simply won’t be able to respond quickly enough to the rapidly changing business challenges they face.

Despite these often-express concerns, however, few manufacturers are taking steps themselves to understand and address the engineering talent shortfall. Recently, however, I had a chance to speak with executives at one leading semiconductor maker that is taking direct action that could benefit all manufacturers worried about the engineering talent supply. Boise, ID-based Micron Technology recently gave $1.2 million to the University of Idaho to fund a four-year study on why some students may not perform well—or chose careers—in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The research project, called the STEM Educational Research Initiative, is both ambitious and unique. Over the first three years, researchers will interview students in grades K-12 across Idaho as well as educators, parents, and other community members. The idea is to paint a holistic picture of the barriers that stand in the way of young people pursuing STEM studies and careers. In the fourth year, the project will develop and test programs intended to overcome those barriers. The STEM initiative is unique because it is looking at the wide range of cultural issues that today inhibit interest in STEM studies and careers among young people.

So, why would Micron fork over big bucks to back such a study? Like a lot of manufacturers, Micron is increasingly struggling to find enough engineering graduates from local schools to support its growth.

“Our facilities in Boise are heavily into research and development, so we require higher levels of technical expertise and education,” Micron Technology Foundation manager Janine Rush-Byers told me. “Not being able to go out and get the students we need locally is a big problem.” A local source of engineering talent is especially important to Micron because, in some cases, it’s difficult for the company to convince established engineers to relocate to Boise.

The STEM initiative is, clearly, not a short-term fix. Not only will the project run four years, but any resulting programs will be applied at the K-12 level, meaning that any gains in the pipeline of STEM university graduates will be many years down the road.

But at least Micron is taking steps to understand and solve the problem rather than just complaining about it. What is your company doing to increase the flow of new engineering talent?