Half of young people in the East not considering careers in STEM
That's according to a report by the Institution of Engineering and Technology
Last updated 24th Aug 2022
In the East of England, 50% of young people are not considering a career in STEM.
That's according to a report by the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
A survey carried out to coincide with A Level results recently found 50% of young people in our region weren't considering getting jobs in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
42% said they were while 8% weren't sure.
Nationally 61% of people aged 15 to 20 chose STEM subjects for their A Levels, with 51% of those intending to go on to pursue a career in the industry.
We spoke to David Lakin from the Institution: "The reality is if we don't have have young people coming through, then we have less people filling those jobs and those future jobs and in particular the skills that are required for the future.
"The world of digital is really taking off. So we need more young people with digital skills.
"And particularly here in the UK, if employees can't fill those roles here, then the chances are that the industry will have to look elsewhere, or maybe even move abroad to fill those gaps.
"It's really important that we try new inspire more young people to study STEM subjects both a primary and secondary school.
"And then they select those subjects for their A levels or GCSEs and then hopefully onto university or other routes such as an apprenticeship."
He told us the survey shows there is an appetite for STEM education and careers: "So it's evidence that the needle is starting to move in, in the right direction, but it will just take a little while for us to get there.
"A career in engineering and technology really provides a young person with an opportunity to make a big difference.
"They literally have the opportunity to change the world and engineer a better world for us all.
"Young people today are are a lot more interested in subjects like sustainability and climate change and healthcare, and engineers and scientists are the ones that really have an impact and make a difference in those kind of areas.
"So young people studying STEM subjects and then pursuing STEM careers literally have the opportunity to change the world and engineer a better world for us all."
Women in STEM
The IET is also trying to encourage more women to go into STEM careers.
David told us how they are trying to make STEM more 50/50 and why it is important: "We also have celebrate and what's really important is that we celebrate successful engineers, in particular more women engineers to showcase and highlight that to young girls.
"And we do that through awards such as the Iets Young Woman Engineer of the Year award and some of our other campaigns like Engineering a better world and Engineering Open House date, all designed to inspire and encourage young people, in particular girls.
"If you think about it's very common sense really for the engineering profession.
"We know that both women and men think differently, have different perspectives on things.
"So it only makes sense that you would want that 50/50 as part of your workforce.
"So it's really important that we try and encourage more young girls to again pick up STEM subjects and want to pursue STEM careers.
"We do this through providing initiatives that use role models that use the correct terminology and wording and imagery to not put girls off.
"And absolutely to do away with the misperception that engineering is just for boys because it absolutely isn't."