Decision Time
So it’s that time of the year already – students across Northern Ireland have just received their A Level and GCSE results and as the saying goes the beginning of the rest of their lives starts now. Once again 2010 was another year of success for Northern Ireland students who have topped the result polls in comparison to the other regions, but it’s the decisions made now about what subjects to study at university level that will have major knock on effects on their future careers and our future economy.
To date science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects have lived in the shadow of the more ‘glamorous’ professions such as law. Don’t get me wrong, I understand we need all types of industries to work together in order to develop a successful economy but isn’t it time to accept that the commercial world is shifting its focus to innovation and knowledge and for NI to compete in the global marketplace we need to have to a balance of quality and quantity when it comes to local STEM experts.
I think it’s safe to say Northern Ireland doesn’t lack in quality when it comes to STEM professionals, after all we are continually attracting major inward investment from huge multinationals, however our major challenge lies in supply. The uptake of STEM subjects in NI has remained steady and this year we have even see increases in numbers studying maths and ICT at GCSE but unfortunately as a whole the number studying STEM is still low.
The economy is seeing growth in the STEM industries and in particular the ICT sector and it’s predicted that these areas will continue to grow which means we need to start planning for the future and thinking about what the economy requires in terms of employment. Many students are of the opinion that studying STEM subjects is only for the rocket scientists and brain surgeons of the future and here’s where we come in – the older STEM generation that is. It’s our job to highlight all the career opportunities available to STEM students and convince them that carrying on STEM subjects to university level can offer major financial rewards and exciting job opportunities.
One of the best ways to do just that is through industry role models – also known as STEM Ambassadors. We need to give children hand on experiences of the working world and show them the spectrum of careers on offer when they follow through with further study of STEM.
Sentinus, the leading organisation promoting STEM subjects in Northern Ireland is constantly on the lookout for local scientists, engineers and mathematicians to volunteer to work with schools and colleges in their area in a bid to inspire this future generation. Contact Sentinus on 028 9262 7755 for more information on how your company can get involved.
So this is my final plea to the local business community– engage your future workforce and communicate to them what the work of work is like, what rewards can be reaped and why the STEM sectors needs them. This is a win-win situation for all concerned with benefits to the individual, the companies that employ the next generation and ultimately our economy
