Showing young people the rich range of career opportunities that STEM study opens up
A well-qualified STEM workforce is crucial to business and industry in the UK. Graduates in STEM subjects can expect to receive amongst the highest salaries of all new recruits. However in 2009 a CBI survey of 350 UK employers reported 66% having difficulties recruiting STEM skilled staff.
STEM study also develops the type of analytical and numerical skills that are prized across career pathways. Young people with STEM qualifications are thus better prepared for employment in a wide range of non-STEM fields.
Young people need high-quality careers and guidance to illustrate the rich range of career opportunities that STEM study opens up to them. In this way all young people will be:
made aware of the fulfilling and attractive careers open to them through the continued study of science and maths;
well prepared to develop the necessary skills and qualities needed to make informed choices about the qualifications they will require for further study and careers in STEM.
Improving the quality of advice and guidance about STEM careers Lead Organisation: Work in this area is led by the National Careers Co-ordinator, Kate Bellingham, with a team at Sheffield Hallam University. A range of organisations provide ongoing activities to improve STEM careers advice and guidance for young people, these include:
A three year communications campaign, 'Science and Maths - see where they can take you' to engage young people, their parents, the workforce and stakeholders to improve the take up of science and maths subjects post-16.
Development of Future Morph, a website resource designed for young people, which demonstrates the huge range of careers available to those pursuing science and maths post-16.
Production of online careers awareness resources to support teachers, schools, careers education and Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) professionals.
A research project to inform an evidence-based approach to more coherent careers advice in schools and colleges. The project has placed mentors in 28 schools to audit current in-school provision, support future planning, and encourage collaboration between the schools' STEM departments and careers services. A survey of Year 7 and 9 students has been carried out to establish knowledge and attitudes about careers, both to inform future development and to act as a benchmark for measuring effectiveness of mentor intervention. The first report from the research project, 'Lengthening ladders, shortening snakes', is available to download below.