A latest report published by Engineering UK 2020, indicates an acute shortage of STEM subject teachers and says many young people are unaware of the direction they need to take to become an engineer.
The acute shortage of STEM subject teachers in secondary and further education, has been highlighted by almost three quarters of FE college principals who rank engineering as the most difficult subject in terms of recruitment.
The report found that pupils’ knowledge of engineering across all stages of education needs improvement as only 42 per cent of boys and 31 per cent of girls know what they need to do next to become an engineer.
Also highlighted was the under representation of pupils from socioeconomically disadvantaged and BAME backgrounds.
Dr Hilary Leevers, Chief Executive, EngineeringUK said: “We need to work together to understand what causes under-representation of certain groups of young people progressing into engineering and how tackle it at every stage. We will need to: improve knowledge of engineering through the curriculum; support teachers and schools to deliver high quality STEM education and careers guidance; and ensure that our education system it fit to cultivate the skills needed for the UK, now and in the future.”