More needed to improve STEM career guidance in schools

However, a report from EngineeringUK, ‘Advancing STEM careers provision in England’, shows that significant improvements are needed for young people to understand and be inspired by STEM careers.

The report highlights the importance of structured work experience and adequate teacher support to prepare students for future STEM careers. It identifies challenges in funding, staff time, and access to quality work experience, urging the government to publish a long-term careers strategy for England, alongside a work experience strategy.

EngineeringUK surveyed 188 teachers and school staff about the barriers to delivering effective STEM careers guidance.

One respondent said: “We could do more if teachers had more time, and if it fitted with the curriculum. There's a lot that falls between the gaps – e.g., Engineering – is it the responsibility of Maths, Science or DT? We used to have a STEM coordinator, which worked well, but the funding fell away.”

Another noted: “There is not enough funding, qualified staff or time allocated to it, and yet so much is expected in terms of impact, results and reaching targets. It is often sidelined in schools or bolted on to another job, so not always given priority.”

The report’s findings include:

• Only 61% of respondents said students of work experience age at their school participate in STEM work experience each year
• 36% cited funding as a barrier to delivering STEM careers provision, stating that it limits support for STEM work experience
• Insufficient funding prevents 37% from engaging more with STEM employers
• 33% identified a lack of capacity in schools to engage with STEM employers
• 43% said practical help in finding good quality STEM work experience for students could be improved
• 25% of Careers Leaders are allocated less than one day per week to fulfil their roles

A Science Education Tracker, published by EngineeringUK and the Royal Society earlier this year, found that only 15% of students had completed STEM-related work experience, though 26% had wanted to but were unable to.

Many STEM employers offer outreach work, though more placements are needed.

Neil Young, Group Engineering Capability Director at Babcock International Group, said: “We believe work experience and placements are all really important ways to offer young people a real-life experience into the world of STEM careers. At Babcock we have multiple programmes that run across the business. One of those is in our Devonport site, called Future Engineers, where we bring circa 40 children to the site for a week. The takeaway from our last event was that 89% of those that took part were keen to pursue a STEM career which they wouldn't have been aware of had they not attended. Ensuring we offer these placements and support events that raise awareness of STEM careers is now becoming increasingly important for us and our peers.”

The report recommends the government:

• Publishes a long-term careers strategy for England with sufficient funding for schools and colleges
• Embeds careers into the STEM curriculum and highlights diverse roles in science, technology, and engineering
• Ensures careers advisers have the necessary professional development to convey up-to-date knowledge of modern engineering and technology careers
• Develops a work experience strategy linked to a wider careers strategy
• Adopts an inclusive whole-school approach to careers provision, led by Careers Leaders
• Takes a targeted approach to STEM careers provision
• Draws on local Careers Hubs to link careers programmes with labour market information
• Encourages STEM employers to enhance engagement activities for young people in Key Stage 3 and offer more work experience opportunities
• Recruits more local STEM employers to participate in Career Hubs and programmes

EngineeringUK Chief Executive, Dr Hilary Leevers, said: “Our report arrives at a pivotal moment when the demand for STEM skills is growing, and the new Government is developing its approach to meet these needs. It offers insights and recommendations to enhance STEM careers provision in schools and colleges in England and provide students with a solid understanding of STEM careers.

“The new Government has conveyed its intention to pursue sustainable and green growth by investing in industry, skills and new technologies, but it is abundantly clear we need a larger and more diverse stream of skilled individuals to give businesses the confidence to invest.

“The Government must take a more strategic approach to STEM education and skills. This includes greater investment in the careers system to realise the full potential of the billions of pounds invested in education and training. Young people need to be able to make the connection between their studies and their future careers.”