Businesses in the UK will face a shortage of qualified
employees within the next few years unless government funding is
found for the development of science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (Stem).
A report issued today by the
Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE)
and LogicaCMG
warns of the problem.
The report warned that knowledge intensive organisations
required more graduates and post-graduates with Stem skills who
were also able to innovate, be enterprising and had networking and
communication skills.
The review found that while the numbers of Stem graduates has
increased since 2002, the number of those taking Stem A-levels -
and therefore the next generation of graduates - has declined.
There were considerable falls in those taking mathematics (a 15%
drop), physics (14%) and computer sciences (47%).
The review found that an absence of adequate funding was
resulting in a deficit of qualified teachers, lack of up-to-date
laboratories, poor careers guidance and, increasingly, university
department closures.
Additionally, issues around the current Stem curriculum were
identified, such as students being forced to focus their subject
choices too early, thereby limiting their options for future
studies.
The review suggests that the government should consider
incentives to encourage teachers to take up CPD (continued
professional development) opportunities, including bursaries to
cover fees and supply costs, to help keep their skills up to date
and to help inspire their students.
The study review also recommends the government takes the issue
of laboratory funding more seriously if students are to have access
to the equipment required to train them to technician level or
progress to higher education.
Richard Brown, CEO of CIHE, said, "The problem is that some
students see the IT and science curriculum as dull. We need to
inspire them with the roles they can take on after school and
university and demonstrate what they will be able to achieve with a
background in these important subjects.”
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