RECRUITING FROM
STEM SUBJECTS
Carl Gilleard, CEO,
Association of
Graduate Recruiters
OPENING HEADLINES
• We have been here before
• The scale and challenges have never been
greater
• We are not alone – the USA is facing the
same issues
WHAT GROUND WILL I COVER?
• Desk research
• Results of a targeted survey of AGR
members in STEM areas
HOUSE OF LORDS SELECT
COMMITTEE – HE IN STEM
SUBJECTS (2012)
Summary
• Jobs of the future will increasingly require people with
capabilities that STEM education provides
• Mismatch in supply and demand – numbers and skills
• Concern over definitions – some courses contain little
science
• Too few pupils studying Maths at A level
HOUSE OF LORDS SELECT
COMMITTEE – HE IN STEM
SUBJECTS (2012)
Summary (continued)
• HE should demand higher Maths grades
• STEM postgraduates essential to drive innovation, R&D and
entrepreneurship
• Immigration rules impacting on supply
• Need for:
– better STEM teachers
– better careers advice and education
– single comprehensive national syllabus
– increasing industry involvement to improve employability
SOCIAL MARKET FOUNDATION
In the Balance – The STEM Human Capital Crunch (2013)
Summary:
• Path to economic growth reliant on building and
sustaining STEM industries and skills
• Immigration control means more emphasis on growing
our own
• Already shortages. STEM graduates in demand in all
industries
SOCIAL MARKET FOUNDATION
Royal Academy of Engineering
• Demand for new workers - 104,000 STEM graduates
and 56,000 STEM technicians in each year until 2020
• Annual shortfall amounts to 40,000 graduates a year
CBI
• Reported that over 40% of employers currently
experience difficulties in recruiting staff with STEM
AGR SURVEY OF STEM
RECRUITERS
Supply of STEM graduates
• 45% believe there is a serious problem
• 50% believe there is a manageable
problem
RECRUITER APPROACHES TO
OVERCOME THE PROBLEM
Ranking:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Better understanding among students of roles and prospects
Earlier hiring through internships
Partnering with faculties
Earlier hiring through school leaver programmes
Increased on-campus activities
Better financial support for students
Higher salaries
Reducing entry requirements
WHY DO STEM GRADUATES AVOID
STEM CAREERS?
1. Poaching from other sectors
1. Lack of awareness of roles
3. Competition on pay
4. Low prestige of scientific careers in the
UK
5. Roles on offer are uninteresting
IS THERE A GENDER ISSUE?
• 59% think there is a big problem
• 41% think some progress has been made,
but it’s still a concern
HOW DO YOU OVERCOME GENDER
IMBALANCES?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Capture at an earlier age
Better careers advice
More visible high achievers (role models)
Better & earlier numeracy & science in schools
Improve attractiveness of STEM subjects in schools
More school engagement by employers
Family friendly policies
ARE YOU INVOLVED IN ANY
COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO
ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE INTO
YOUR SECTOR?
• 36% - heavily involved
• 45% - some involvement
ONE THING TO IMPROVE THE
SITUATION:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
More internships
Subsidise tuition fees
Government sponsorship for students
Better promotion of STEM subjects and careers in schools
(by the schools)
Insist STEM subjects studied to GCSE/ A level
Create real partnership with education
More effort by universities to work with employers
Make careers more appealing
The key is to inform, inspire and
educate younger people on the wealth
of career opportunities that STEM
can lead to.