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Viv Gilespie Director, Plymouth Chamber The new Government must make encouraging more young people to study science-related subjects a top priority. Young people today are excited about technology. They are more plugged in than any generation before them- texting on mobile phones, playing interactive video games and relying on their laptops and phones for updates on social media websites. We need to harness that curiosity by connecting to the technologies that are part of their everyday lives to the maths and science concepts that make it happen. This is vitally important as the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are collectively considered core technology underpinnings of an advanced society. In many forums the strength of the STEM workforce is viewed as an indicator of a nation’s ability to sustain itself. The Confederation of British Industry estimates that by 2014 there will be unmet demand for 775,000 roles requiring higher level STEM skills. Despite the recession, 45% of employers report difficulty recruiting people with STEM skills. That’s why it’s more imperative than ever to support programmes that make STEM education accessible and compelling. In order to do this we need to provide our children with an education that includes a solid foundation in science, technology and engineering - we need to encourage the students of today to pursue careers in STEM-related fields. The opportunity cost for not addressing this challenge is too high for us to ignore.
And let’s not forget, for the individual it is a highly rewarding sector to be involved in - as many of these jobs tend to be highly paid, offering plenty of early responsibility and autonomy and the opportunity to work both in the UK and overseas on exciting, often life-changing projects. Increasingly, graduates in these subjects get a chance to work on sustainable solutions to climate change problems. So, we need to initiate a change in thought and attitude towards these subjects - achieved through building networks between industry and education and developing a city strategy to excite young learners. This is a top priority for the Local Strategic Partnership. By making science, technology, engineering and maths accessible, relevant and fun for learners - regardless of gender, race or socioeconomic background - we prepare them for success and foster a passion for technology and invention that will inspire and ignite our future workforce. |
Chamber Matters
The 'Chamber Matters' Column features every Tuesday in the Business Section of The Herald. |
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