STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)

STEM skills are important and demand for them is growing fast

Nearly 40% of UK employers report difficulties recruiting staff with relevant STEM skills. CBI.

Why choose STEM

Science	Technology	Engineering	Maths

The demand for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) skills is growing. STEM is important in all our lives and its importance is increasing. STEM subjects can help you get into and be more effective in a range of careers.

• Science is important in the production of food, to our health, in our leisure time and in our working lives
  
  

• Technology is increasingly important to our every day life, in work and at home

• Engineering is used in the design of buildings, roads, bridges, machines including those used in medicine, and is used in the protection of the environment

• Maths is part of every job and activity we do, as well as the main skill for a range of jobs and careers

There is a huge range of careers for people with STEM-based skills

STEM ...

... qualifications are in demand in the job market and offer good long term career prospects
... organisations are very keen to recruit people to meet the shortage of skills they face
...  learning develops skills for solving problems, discovering new ideas, asking questions, finding answers, making things - food, materials and products

By 2023 science, research, engineering and technology jobs are expected to account for 7.8% of all jobs in the UK, this is the equivalent to 2.5m jobs. edfENERGY.

STEM organisations are keen to recruit people who represent ALL of us

Check out these YouTube videos:

• Space with Dr Aderin-Pocock
• Rolls Royce's STEM ambassador Frida
• Rolls Royce and diversity

STEM subjects are useful for ALL jobs ...

 ... but if you want to work in a STEM job, such as a scientist, engineer, statistician, medical career, IT, games development and more, it is useful to have skills and qualities such as:

• being organised
• an eye for detail
• having a common sense approach
• the ability to record information accurately
• good teamwork skills
• practical and/or scientific skills
• being questioning and interested
• good problem-solving skills
• good written and spoken communication skills

STEM websites:

• #Futuregoals - manufacturing, engineering, construction, digital, health and creative industries in the Leeds City Region
• National Careers Service - explore careers - find information on STEM careers
• Routes into engineering careersRoutes into engineering careers
• Science and Technology Facilities Council careers - careers and skills needed for the science industries
• SEMTA - information on science, engineering and manufacturing sectors, including careers and apprenticeships
• STEM & Siemens - manufacturer using electrification, digitalization and automation
• Tomorrow's engineers
• What is civil engineering
• Women in STEM - women talking about their STEM career
• WISE - my skills, my life - Women into Science, Technology and Engineering
• STEM Learning - bursaries and resources 
• Cogent skills - information about the UK science industry, includes careers and qualifications
• SEMTA - information on science, engineering and manufacturing sectors, including careers and apprenticeships
• STEM & Siemens - manufacturer using electrification, digitalization and automation
  
  

Also check out our useful websites page for more links to industry sectors that are interested in people with STEM qualifications

STEM career match websites:

• CITB - Go Construct's Ultimate Quiz
• Cogent Careers
• Futuremorph Game - what might you be? (science related)
• NHS Find your career
• The Big Bang Whose crew are you? (science related)
• WISE Campaign (Women into Science & Engineering) - sign up and Play the  Quiz

Page updated October 2019

We acknowledge the use of a photo from Broadly, The Gender Spectrum Collection