Where have all the engineers gone?

Have you ever thought  "Where have all the engineers gone?"
I had recently came across  an article published by IET and IEEE in year 2008 and 2007 respectively. It clearly shows that in recent few years there has been a tremendous increase in demand for experienced engineers for services field. It includes call centers, service centers, etc. Now as the demand in different sectors is increasing rapidly, there will be a definite shortage of suitably qualified engineers for the core engineering field.
In light of the above articles i decided the write this blog so i can have some insight to the situation.

I tried to question this to many of my friends who them selves are engineers. The answers were as expected they were common for different branches. Let me list them for you.
Computer science: Most of them are abroad developing software or application. Few are in call centers for technical support. and remaining few are in coaching centers.
Electronics: They are into some MNC company doing some testing of components designed and manufactured abroad.
Mechanical, electrical, civil: Large population is in to field like accounting, procurement, services, support activity. Few are in manufacturing, testing, quality, inspection etc.
Very few of my friends are working in core engineering fields. I never understood in my life why all these sectors require engineers.
Sectors like procurement, billing, customer support, call centers etc can't work without engineers.Even if the work involve some technical inputs.
In my opinion different courses in engineering were designed for these jobs. Then why does every body needs a graduate engineer to do these jobs. Most of the work can be done by diploma or ITI holders.
In my office i can see company is wasting the skill set of engineers they are placed in HR, Billing, Administration, etc.
I didn't know why this is happening and why nobody say no for these jobs.
Some times i feel that i am very lucky that i am working as an design engineer, So i still have options to work within my field.