Recruitment into STEM has historically fished from too small a pool. Getting the top jobs have come through narrow networks. These hubs will often not include poor, Black and female talent. There is a need to search wider and find talent from genuinely disadvantaged and Black communities.
The STEM worker shortfall is estimated to be about 69,000 per year, therefore, taking steps to address this and encourage more young people to see the value of STEM skills, is vital to ensuring a thriving UK economy. There is also evidence that too many bright young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are not stretched and challenged in their schools. They are desperate for a faster track, space where their genius can be cultivated.
STEM graduates earn on average £6000 more in their entry-level jobs than other sectors. The average salary for a STEM professional is £25000 more than the national average. For communities to grow and to ensure of social mobility, growing a strong pipeline of equipped STEM geniuses is essential.