STEM – an acronym covering the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in these four specific disciplines in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.

The Harwell Campus event – for young people who are interested in taking up careers within the disciplines covered by STEM – is a repeat of a similar event held last year. ELS was asked to provide a speaker for that event, and by popular request, ELS has also been asked to provide a speaker for this year’s conference.

STEM is a concept that has, traditionally, been championed in the USA, principally because, according to a report by the website STEMconnector.org, by 2018, projections estimate the need for 8.65m workers in STEM-related jobs in the country. The US manufacturing sector faces a shortage of nearly 600,000 employees with the necessary skills. 

This issue is not unique to the United States.

In the UK, the Royal Academy of Engineering reports that the UK will need to have 100,000 people graduate in STEM subjects every year until 2020 in order to meet demand from employers. Moreover, according to the report, Germany currently has a shortage of 210,000 workers in the mathematics, computer science, natural science, and technology disciplines.

David George of ELS explained, "It’s important to stress that not all STEM jobs require a college degree. Less than half of entry-level STEM jobs require a bachelor's degree or higher.  That said, possessing a bachelor’s degree is helpful with salary. The average advertised starting salary for entry-level STEM jobs with a bachelor's requirement was 26% higher than jobs in non-STEM fields, according to the STEMconnect report."

David continued, "We’re delighted to be able to play our part in helping to promote STEM as a career path for young people to consider seriously. What’s also important to remember is that much of the STEM curriculum is focused on attracting under-represented groups in these jobs. This includes both gender and ethnic underrepresentation. So, for example, according to the STEMconnect report, female students are significantly less likely than their male counterparts to pursue a STEM career." 

Cath Convery, ELS’s Head of Learning, said, "It’s important to give young people as much relevant information as possible to help them in their choice of career – especially if that information gives them a new perspective on working life and encourages them to explore a career that both challenges and interests them. ELS is delighted to be able to help in this locally, as part of our corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy."