n his 19 years as an instructor at South Central College, Jeff Fischer says he has found a job for every student that wanted to work.

No exceptions, Fischer says, 100 percent.

He teaches computer-integrated machining. His labs are filled with computer-coordinated lathes, mills and scrap metal. His classrooms feature intricate trigonometry lessons and complicated engineering software. His students design, build and assemble motorcycle parts — among many other things.

Fischer and his program are on the leading edge of an evolving job market. A market demanding more and more science, engineering and mathematical skills. A market demanding better critical thinking capabilities and quicker problem solving.

A market, said Jonathan Zierdt to a room full of area ninth- and tenth-graders, that is changing so rapidly the top 10 in-demand jobs in 2010 will not have existed in 2004.

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