Is it true that we have a shortage of engineers because we have no manufacturing?

A guy at work said that we don't have any engineers because we have no manufacturing. He said that we many assemble things here but there's no need for an engineer to do that. He said that's why less people are majoring in science or engineering. They know they'll be unemployeed.Is it true that we have a shortage of engineers because we have no manufacturing?
This question depends entirely on where it is you are asking from. Also, manufacturing or assembling things 'here' has no bearing on engineers because doing this neither requires more or less engineers. For example, in the US we produce so few engineers because we either outsource or ship a lot of engineers here which makes for a lot of competition and lower wages, and we'd rather be the boss than the worker anyway.Is it true that we have a shortage of engineers because we have no manufacturing?
Manufacturing output in the US has been growing only very slowly for years. The manufacturing labor has gone way down as productivity has increased. There are still many design and manufacturing jobs, the US allows a number of engineers in each year to help keep engineering wages down. Fewer US citizens major in science or engineering because people aren't interested in it. Also, many do perceive law, medicine, etc. to be more lucrative.
I've heard that too.