Skills shortage will damage STEM sector, says report
The Smallpiece Trust, based in Leamington Spa, has released a report stating 640,000 jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors will be created or vacated “within the next six years”. The educational charity said the report highlights the need to reduce the current skills void.
The report, Securing Tomorrow’s Workforce, studies the rise of low carbon industries and the future of STEM careers. The results imply that at least 400,000 of these jobs needed by 2017 will have a focus on low carbon technologies and practices.
The study suggests that the green economy will boom in the next few years as developed countries seek to adapt to global energy challenges.
However, the country is now facing “a real deficit of much needed qualified and educated professionals”, said The Smallpiece Trust. The charity said that it was “crucial” that sufficient investment is made in introducing young people to careers in STEM sectors if the UK is to become a true leader in the global low carbon economy.
Dr Andrew Cave, chief executive of The Smallpeice Trust, said: “By working in partnership with industry, institutions, educational establishments and the government, The Smallpeice Trust believes that we can enhance people’s perceptions of engineering as a worthwhile and dynamic career. Working with our supporters we are keen to focus on building the country’s expertise in low carbon technologies – acting as a catalyst for bridging the gap in future skills requirement.”
