A lack of advice and support for science, engineering, technology and maths (STEM) careers has been revealed in a survey of school careers advisors, teachers and heads.
The study found that, despite the need for 100,000 more STEM graduates a year identified by the Royal Academy of Engineering, careers advisors place no greater emphasis on STEM subjects and lack information and advice.
The survey was conducted by recruitment marketing specialists Bernard Hodes Group and student and graduate recruitment service TheBigChoice.com. Among 160 careers advisors, teachers and heads it found:
- Only 3 out of 10 schools offer presentations to students from local employers
- Despite 87% of parents being involved with their child’s subject choices and career paths, only around 6 out of 10 schools run events and deliver information throughout the year
- 86% of careers advisors put no greater emphasis on STEM subjects than any other
- Careers advisors/teachers identify a need for information such as growth areas, salaries and local work experience opportunities, as well as information to combat stereotyping in the industry
The study revealed a need for schools to be provided with more information on career routes and opportunities for STEM subjects, including opportunities for students to directly interact with employers in the form of industry visits, work experience placements and guest speakers. Other suggestions from respondents included events such as STEM career fairs, well-produced collateral and STEM university student ambassadors.
Despite the number of exam entries for STEM subjects at A Level increasing over the past five years (sciences make up 17.8% of all UK A Level entries), the majority of respondents felt that STEM subjects were on the decline in schools. The reasons given for this were that these subjects are considered to be more difficult than arts subjects, with higher grades required to study them at A Level. Respondents also referred to the view that STEM subjects are mainly classroom based and non-interactive with no clear picture of what kind of careers STEM subjects can lead to.
Jim Reilly, Director of Recruitment and Youth Marketing, BigChoice Group said, “We need to do more to provide good quality information about STEM careers and make students aware of the exciting options this route can deliver. These subjects are vital to the UK’s long term prosperity. If we fail to act on the warning from this report, the UK will inevitably fall behind in the global innovation race.”
Cathy Hyde, Practice Leader for Future Talent, Bernard Hodes adds, ”There are a vast number of rewarding careers available to school leavers and graduates with the right STEM qualifications. Industry bodies, education institutions, employers and government must do more to communicate this fact in order to plug the skills gap but also to show young people that there are long term employment opportunities for them in areas they may not ever have considered if they choose the right subjects at school.”
