A-level students taking IT may find it easier to get a place in
university than those taking arts or humanities subjects, under a
government proposal aimed at getting more people on to science and
technology degrees.
The proposal could a see an
IT A-level being worth more Ucas points, which students need to
get university places.
The idea is under consultation, according to Ian Pearson,
minister of state for science and innovation.
"We need to keep working hard on the Stem [science, technology,
engineering and maths] agenda," he said.
Pearson was speaking at a Labour Party Conference fringe meeting
on innovation, co-hosted by the Institute for Engineering and
Technology (IET).
Other speakers said more work needed to be done on making
science and technology
less "dull" in schools.
David Kester from at the Design Council, said, "Most kids find
science subjects very dull. They are not taught in an exciting way.
They do not see the relevance. There is a big challenge there to
inject creativity into the classroom."
Young people also need to be shown how many opportunities there
are for employment in technology-related areas, according to the
IET's Robin McGill. He said, "We live in a technologically
intensive environment and we need to get the message out that the
opportunities are actually greater than ever before for young
people.
"We have been brilliant at making technology inaccessible. You
cannot maintain your average mobile phone by yourself. You cannot
take thing apart like people used to. We need to demystify
technology. It's not magic."
Ian Mulheirn from the Social Market Foundation, which co-hosted
the meeting, said the government should consider tax incentives for
companies which invest in innovation.
He said, "We need fiscal incentives like a research and
development tax credit. Governments around the world do that, and
it would seem like a good thing for Britain to do. We also need to
focus on our human capital, because that is what will attract
companies and keep them in Britain."
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