The supply of and demand for high-level STEM skills

Abstract

This report looks at supply of [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] STEM graduates and the industry's demand for graduates and projects these to 2020 under different economic growth scenarios, both positive and neutral. The report finds that, although there is currently no overall shortage of STEM skills in the workforce, certain sectors and regions suffer from skills 'potholes' which hold back growth. STEM occupations and sectors show signs of impermeability - the report found that careers in STEM are becoming increasingly difficult to move in and out of, and that STEM graduates whose initial career choice is outside a core STEM area encounter barriers to re-entering the sector. The report suggests that this is partly due to the pace of technological change - the skills of people working in the field can swiftly atrophy if they change career or fail to find a relevant job soon after leaving education.