We all know that a wide range of STEM skills have become essential for jobs today. It is important to prepare and encourage the next generation of the workforce to have a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Randstad has done a study with youths from the ages 11-17 and some of their findings are that participants of this study were lacking in how they interpreted STEM skill professions and also showed a lack of confidence with the young female participants. Many are lacking the understanding of STEM professions and how STEM skills can be used practically. 

Employers need to keep in mind that if they do not begin to redefine what STEM skills are and how they can be applied in different jobs there could be a shortage of candidates with these skill sets in the future.  

“The term ‘STEM’ needs a rebrand and awareness campaign to get the next generation of talent excited about pursuing these careers,” said Alan Stukalsky, Chief Digital Officer for Randstad North America. “Young people are self-selecting out of higher STEM education classes because they can’t see how these skills apply to different professions and employers they’re excited about. It’s a misperception and a serious economic problem, as a rapidly growing number of jobs now require STEM competencies. If we don’t find a way to guide and prepare the future workforce for these positions, we run the risk of the need for these skills escalating and the hiring gap expanding.”   

See the full report here.