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Government “must take a more strategic approach” to STEM education: EngineeringUK report

Published on: 2 Oct 2024

As the UK strives to meet its ambitious net zero targets and achieve sustainable economic growth, the need for a robust pipeline of skilled workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has never been more urgent, a report from EngineeringUK has said.

Government “must take a

Advancing STEM Careers Provision in England, released today, has shed light on the significant gaps in STEM career guidance in schools and colleges.

With hundreds of thousands of additional workers required in STEM fields over the coming years, it is crucial that young people are adequately informed and inspired to pursue these careers, the report found. It also said that many students lack exposure to the diverse and rewarding career opportunities within STEM.

One key finding is the urgent need for structured work experience opportunities, which can provide invaluable real-world insights and help bridge the gap between education and employment.

However, the current provision for work experience is severely lacking; only 61% of students of work experience age participate in STEM-related work experiences annually. This is further exacerbated by funding challenges and a lack of dedicated staff time to implement effective STEM career guidance.

EngineeringUK surveyed 188 teachers and stakeholders who raised a number of issues such as insufficient funding, lack of qualified staff, and inadequate time allocated to STEM initiatives. As one teacher noted, “There is not enough funding, qualified staff or time allocated to it... it is often side-lined in schools or bolted on to another job, so not always given priority.”

The Science Education Tracker published earlier this year found that a mere 15% of students had completed STEM-related work experience, while 26% expressed a desire to do so but were unable. This gap suggests there is a pressing need for schools to prioritise STEM careers and work experience opportunities to ignite interest and awareness among students.

To address these challenges, EngineeringUK’s report recommends that the government takes a series of actions to revamp the current STEM careers provision:

  • Publish a long-term careers strategy: A clear, funded strategy that enables schools to implement effective STEM career guidance.
  • Embed careers in the curriculum: Integrate career guidance into the STEM curriculum to showcase the wide array of roles available in these fields.
  • Professional development for careers advisers: Ensure advisers have up-to-date knowledge of modern STEM careers to effectively guide students.
  • Develop a work experience strategy: Create a cohesive approach that connects work experience with career education.
  • Adopt an inclusive approach: Ensure that careers provision is a priority across all levels of the school system.
  • Engage local employers: Encourage more STEM employers to participate in education initiatives and provide meaningful work experience opportunities.

The report said these steps are vital to ensure that the future workforce is not only prepared but also inspired to pursue careers in STEM.

EngineeringUK chief executive, Dr Hilary Leevers, said: “Our report arrives at a pivotal moment when the demand for STEM skills is growing, and the new government is developing its approach to meet these needs. It offers insights and recommendations to enhance STEM careers provision in schools and colleges in England and provide students with a solid understanding of STEM careers.

“The new government has conveyed its intention to pursue sustainable and green growth by investing in industry, skills and new technologies, but it is abundantly clear we need a larger and more diverse stream of skilled individuals to give businesses the confidence to invest.

“The government must take a more strategic approach to STEM education and skills. This includes greater investment in the careers system to realise the full potential of the billions of pounds invested in education and training. Young people need to be able to make the connection between their studies and their future careers.