New report shows STEM workers twice as likely to miss job opportunities due to lack of skills

The findings, released today (10 Jul) by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), show that 43% of vacancies in STEM roles are hard to fill due to a shortage of applicants with the required skills – almost double the UK average of 24%.

Reviewing the Requirement for Higher Level STEM Skills takes an in depth look at skills challenges facing STEM occupations, and finds that these skills are of key importance to the performance of the UK economy in terms of jobs, productivity, innovation and competitiveness. Using the broadest definition, 5m people are employed in high level STEM roles.

Lesley Giles, deputy director at UKCES, said:

These findings highlight an alarming shortage of skills affecting key jobs in the UK economy, and point to a vital need to improve the level of training provision offered to those working within STEM industries.

STEM skills underpin many of the industries at the forefront of our economy, from world leading engineering to cutting edge information technology, yet our findings also show some evidence that those working in high level STEM roles are less likely than most to receive training.

There is a vital need for employers to act now to secure a steady flow of talent with the right skills in years to come: building more structured training and development schemes and developing clear career pathways are just two ways in which early action can avert future crises.

As part of the report, UKCES research has been used to map STEM occupations in according to anticipated need, creating a list of roles expected to be in highest demand up to 2022.

In terms of current shortages vacancies for engineering professionals are worst affected, with almost 60% of vacancies difficult to fill due to a lack of skills.

The research also brings to light the range of sectors dependent on STEM skills, with almost half (46%) of graduates working in innovative firms in manufacturing and knowledge-intensive business service industries having a degree in a STEM subject.

STEM skills also play a vital role in a range of other sectors, including specialised manufacturing, research and development and technical consultancy, as well as underpinning crucial technological areas including computer programming.