London

Introducing the region

London is the capital of England, and consequently Britain’s largest and most populous area, with a population of over 7.5 million people. It is the second largest city in the world in terms of area, and is home to 100 of Europe’s top 500 companies. London has the largest Gross Domestic Product in Europe, and is very culturally diverse, with over 300 languages spoken across the city.


London skyscraper

Snapshot: STEM business and industry in the region

London is extremely active in terms of businesses, covering a variety of skills, many of whom are leaders in their field, such as Heathrow Airport - regarded as the hub of the aviation world, flying customers to over 180 destinations.

The region is home to cultural landmarks such as the Royal Greenwich Observatory, at longitude zero degrees, the National History Museum, and the Science Museum.

London produces 21% of the UK's total Gross Value Added, the largest regional share of the UK total.


Major STEM sectors and top employers

Aerospace – Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Boeing, Macedonian Airways, Private Jet Charter, BAA

Automotive – Rolls-Royce

Biomedical – The Biomedical Research Education Trust, Henderson Biomedical, AstraZeneca

Financial & professional – MatchTech, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Besso, Mackenzie Stuart, Barclays, National Westminster Bank

Chemicals – Thames Water, BP, Shell, Premier Oil

Digital & creative – BT, Sony Ericsson, TalkTalk

Food & drink – The Park Royal Food Innovation Centre (PRFIC), Associated British Foods, Cadbury plc


Looking forward

The CBI annual skills report (2010) identified 59% of employers as having difficulties in recruiting STEM-skilled employees. In 2008, Semta (Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies) looked forward to 2014 and reported skills gaps in the workforce that offer opportunities for STEM-skilled individuals in London:

  • London accounts for 3% of all Engineering employment and 7% of all Engineering establishments in the UK, employing 44,200 people in 4,390 businesses.
  • The largest sectors in terms of employment are metal products, electronics and mechanical equipment.
  • 97% of Engineering establishments in London employ less than 50 people.
  • 14% of Engineering establishments in London reported skill gaps, which was lower than the proportion within UK Engineering.
  • Employers in London expected skills gaps for professionals, technicians and skilled trades (craft) would have the most significant effect on their business.
  • The main skills cited as lacking in employees were technical and engineering skills at all levels; 74% of those Engineering establishments in London reporting skill gaps.
  • The three main technical skills gaps for the engineering sector in London were computer aided design (CAD), materials requirement planning (MRP) and general machining.
  • The generic skills gaps highlighted were key or core personal skills (18%), management skills (12%), marketing or selling skills (6%) and IT/computer skills (3%).
  • Together with changes in skill requirements, qualifications demanded by employers are likely to change, with an increasing requirement for intermediate and higher level qualifications. Over the period 2008-2014 there is expected to be a net requirement within the Engineering Industry in London for 1,600 people at NVQ Level 2, 1,700 people at NVQ Level 3, 1,800 at NVQ Level 4 and about 450 at NVQ Level 5 or above.

Further information is available from Semta Engineering Skills Balance Sheet.


STEM education support infrastructure

Several organisations are working to support the development of STEM skills in London. This team includes:

NCETM
Professional development for mathematics teachers.

Science Learning Centre London
Professional development for science teachers.
Director: Sally Johnson, enquiries@london.slcs.ac.uk.

STEMNET
Enhancement and enrichment - creating opportunities to inspire young people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Regional Director: Ajay Sharman, Ajay.Sharman@stemnet.org.uk.

IOP
The Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics.
Regional Chair: Barbara Gabrys, londonsoutheast@physics.org.

HE STEM Programme
Supporting Higher Education Institutions in encouraging the exploration of new approaches to recruiting students and delivering programmes of study within the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Regional Director: Averil MacDonald, a.m.macdonald@reading.ac.uk.

LSIS STEM Programme
Supporting the national STEM agenda with a focus on improving the quality of teaching and learning in the FE and skills sector.
Regional STEM Champion: David Swinscoe, david.swinscoe@candi.ac.uk.

ESERO-UK - the UK space education office
Using space to enhance and support STEM teaching and learning in the UK.
Regional Space Ambassador: Anu Ojha, anuo@spacecentre.co.uk.