Throughout the United Kingdom there is a growing demand in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, but the population cannot keep up with the demand that these industries require. According to the Times Educational Supplement (TES), students are not taking STEM-related courses that give them the skills required for these fields. Experts say that despite a more than 10 percent increase in students taking STEM courses, government funding, and programs that promote these fields, many industries fear there will not be enough future workers trained to fill the positions in STEM fields. Without students getting degrees or taking apprenticeships in STEM areas, the United Kingdom's economy and strategic position in the world could be hurt.
"Over the next three years, more than half of all employers predict difficulty finding the STEM talent they need," Leo Ranger, a policy analyst at lobbying firm CBI, told TES. "[This shortage] could act as a barrier to business growth in key areas, such as low-carbon manufacturing and the creative industries."
Critics say that the education system is not doing enough to promote STEM courses or properly inform students what occupations require skills gained from taking these courses after they graduate. Students might want to design video games or work as a pharmacist or chemist, but may not realize which STEM skills are required to work in these positions.
Many educators who teach STEM classes in primary school are not experts in these fields and may lack the enthusiasm or confidence to teach and promote their classes effectively, critics argue. This is one reason that might explain the lack of interest in in-demand fields that pay well and could be interesting to many students.
Another problem is that of all the students studying STEM material, only a fraction is female. Just 12 percent of engineering students, and only 2 percent of those studying physics are women, which results in a major gender gap in STEM studies. Surveys have shown that girls lose interest in STEM courses early in their school careers, especially in engineering, computing, and physics. Women are more likely to study biology or math when compared to other STEM subjects.
Hannah Eastwood, the first girl to win the Young Scientist of the Year award in primary school, and who studied several sciences in college, feels that the main problem is that students, and girls in particular, are not inspired by their educators. "It's all about having a good teacher," she told TES. "Teachers are such a big influence on what you do at school; ours really promoted science."
Although many industries are concerned about the lack of students taking STEM-related classes, the announcement of 40,000 new apprenticeships to encourage STEM jobs might help increase the number of young people learning these skills. Companies such as Jaguar, Rolls Royce, and BAE Systems are actively promoting apprenticeships in schools to get more students interested in these opportunities. Lots of students may not feel college is the right choice for them, so this is a way for them to learn STEM skills without a higher education. Many are taking apprenticeships as mechanics, engineers, and other similar fields as opposed to traditional schooling.
"Many people don't realize they would make good apprentices," Ian Eva, apprentice manager at Jaguar Land Rover, told TES. "This means we miss out on really good people."
