The Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies

The opportunity for employers to shape the future of STEM

Sir Alan Jones

Semta.org.uk

Why does it matter?

Science, engineering and manufacturing:

• 2 million people employed• 75,000 companies • Turnover £200 billion• 40% of total UK exports • R&D: £10 billion• Total Gross Value Added : £160 billion• GVA £50,000 per person

East Midlands

• 6,260 employers • 115,100 employees

• 9% of all Engineering employment • 9% of all Engineering establishments

Risk

East Midlands Engineering • 17% reported skill gaps• Two thirds in technical skills • 18,000 no qualifications• 75% no trainees/apprentices• 41% is 45-64 years old

Risk

Bioscience/pharmaceutical

• 29% have skills gaps in current workforce

• 26% of companies now go abroad for the skilled people they need

• 31% of employees are aged 45+

Current workforce

Priorities• To match skills supply with demand • To re-skill those with no qualifications • To improve management and leadership • Tackle issues relating to an ageing workforce.

Funding

£100 million sector compact

• Management and Leadership, • Business Improvement Techniques • Technical training • Apprenticeships • Skills for Life

The pipeline

Leitch review of skills Dec 06

CBI Aug 08

• 10 million adults lack basic school-leaver qualification • 17 million adults have difficulty with numbers • 51% employers dissatisfied with school-leavers skills • 60% of firms struggling to recruit STEM employees.• 2 million more STEM jobs by 2014

The Challenge

The Opportunity

• Design and technology and science are popular subjects.

• Mathematics and science considered important subjects to secure a good job.

• High percentages of young people would consider a STEM career

• 84% wanted STEM careers information

Lengthening Ladders, Shortening SnakesEmbedding Stem Careers Awareness in Secondary SchoolsFrom the STEM Careers Awareness Timeline PilotOctober 2009

• Practical cross curricular• Better facilities• Image• Support careers advice• Influence teacher

development• Change parents’ minds• Improve facilities• Get involved in schools

Unlocking potential

Engagement

• Perceived barriers• Time•Cost•Not my problem/priority

• Breaking down barriers•WIFM•Corporate Social Responsibility•Helping young people

For young people

• Find out what skills employers look for

• Develop your self-confidence and communication skills.

• Work better with others in education, or employment

For Employers benefit

• By raising aspirations + awareness of jobs

• Recruiting informed and prepared young people

• Building positive local reputation + supporting the community

The benefits

• 70% would work harder if studies were linked to employment

• 78% believe work-related study can help land their ideal job

• 60% agreed that undertaking work experience had given them a better understanding of what future employers would expect of them.

On the right track

Getting involved

Work related learning

Work simulation

Enterprise education

Work experienceTeacher/pupil mentoring

School governors

Part time work

Work shadowing

Careers information

Industry days

Mock interviews

Curriculum linked visits

Project support

Who can help

• Semta www.semta.org.uk• STEMNET: www.stemnet.org.uk • Young Engineers www.youngeng.org• Education Business Partnership Organisations

www.iebe.org.uk• Education and Employers Task Force

www.educationandemployers.org• National Apprenticeship Service

www.apprenticeships.org.uk• The School Governors’ One-Stop Shop

www.sgoss.org.uk