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Just over three-quarters (76%) of careers leaders and Stem teachers surveyed for a new report said it has become more difficult to engage with employers since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, with many saying that careers activities have been put on hold because of time pressures.
The 200 educators were surveyed for Securing the Future, a joint report published today (9 June) by the IMechE and seven other engineering and careers organisations, including EngineeringUK, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
The organisations called on the government to invest the £40m to enable more young people to understand the opportunities available in science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) careers, aiding the UK’s post-pandemic economic recovery in the process.
The report found that the ‘digital divide’ has affected access to Stem careers activities in schools and colleges in England, particularly in poorer areas. 68% of schools with above average free school meal eligibility said a lack of access to technology and internet was a barrier, compared to 36% of schools with below average levels.
The findings also identified equality and diversity issues that are barriers to reaching young people. These included a lack of role models, with 46% of respondents saying this was a barrier to accessing careers provision for girls, 38% saying the same for pupils from a minority ethnic background and 33% for pupils from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Other issues included a limited understanding of what Stem careers might entail, a lack of confidence amongst pupils and a lack of awareness about the availability of Stem careers provision.
The co-authors recommended funding for a dedicated ‘Stem leader’ in each careers hub, responsible for building schools’ Stem careers capacity by supporting and facilitating activities with employers, including work experience.
“The youth unemployment figures show young people have been hit hardest by the pandemic, which has exacerbated existing issues, such as the digital divide, further reducing opportunities for young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds,” said Dr Hilary Leevers, chief executive of EngineeringUK.
“At the same time, we know that the Stem sector will offer hundreds of thousands of valuable opportunities for good quality, secure employment. With the government focus on developing the UK as a leader in science and ‘net zero’ – and the policy of ‘building back better’, together with the ‘levelling up’ agenda – careers in Stem and engineering will be a reliable choice.”
She added: “Careers engagement motivates young people to achieve, and enables them to know where future opportunities will be. Young people are anxious about their future and Securing the Future shows that good careers provision is more important than ever. We’re urging the government to do everything possible to ensure that all young people know about the careers opportunities available in the Stem sector now and into the future.
“This matters for the sector, which needs to scale up its efforts to recruit people from non-traditional backgrounds, and to improve the life chances of young people themselves.”
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