Peers to examine the supply and demand for STEM skills in the UK
Monday 10 October 2022
On Tuesday 11 October, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will hold the second evidence session of its new inquiry: People and skills in UK science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
This evidence session will be focused on the “supply and demand” for STEM skills in the UK.
The public evidence session will take place at 10.15am on Tuesday 11 October 2022 and can be viewed live on Parliament TV.
Background:
The Government’s aim of increasing the share of GDP spent on R&D to 2.4% by 2027 will require a workforce with suitable STEM skills as well as teachers able to train the next generation of researchers. This high-skilled workforce is also critical to deliver on key policy objectives such as achieving net zero.
The Committee will seek perspectives from educators, trainers, recruiters and employers on whether there is a STEM skills gap in the UK, and any areas where the skills gap is particularly acute. It will seek to learn whether the Government’s current policies for STEM skills training, both in terms of lifelong learning and education in schools and universities, are sufficient to meet this challenge. It will ask recruiters and industry specialists what more needs to be done to ensure they have a sufficient supply of skilled workers to meet demand in the future.
The Committee will hear from:
10:15am
- Yvonne Baker, OBE, CEO STEM Learning
- Dr Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive, Russell Group.
11:15am
- Kate Shoesmith, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Recruitment and Employment Confederation
- Dr Clive Hickman, Chief Executive, Manufacturing Technology Centre
- Andrew Croydon, Director of Skills and Education Policy, Association of the British Pharmaceuticals Industry.
Possible question areas include:
- The specific STEM skills the UK is most lacking in and which skills the UK is most likely to need in the future
- Measures the Government is taking to address any STEM skills gaps
- Access to STEM skills, education and training
- Support for STEM graduates and reforms needed to degree courses to equip students for highly skilled careers
- How the current government can learn from international competitors, or from successful policies pursued by previous governments, to address the STEM skills gap
