Fears that Brexit would make hiring STEM staff more difficult confirmed by new data
New solutions will have to be found to fill the STEM skill shortage — even when taking into account recent government investment
Recent figures released by the LinkedIn Workforce Report April 2018 confirm fears raised in the 2018 SRG Salary Survey — that the UK will find it harder to attract and retain the best STEM talent post-Brexit. With a current net outflow of professionals to the EU, and immigration to the UK referendum down 26% from the same region, keeping our best STEM talent could be about to get increasingly challenging.
Kelly Morton, Managing Director of SRG agrees:
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“It is a worrying trend to see that our best and brightest are leaving the UK for opportunities across the EU. Even more so when considering the challenges we face trying to bridge the STEM skills gap. It is a competitive market globally and it is ever more important for organisations to make themselves more modern to attract and retain the best talent — this will be particularly vital when attracting Millennials and GenZs”
When the UK science salary survey was first released, 34% of people working in science thought that Brexit would have zero impact on the industry. The release of the figures in the LinkedIn Workforce Report suggest otherwise. Though government and industry initiatives offer some hope, more needs to be done.
From improving the industry reputation, to embracing early talent schemes, to attracting and integrating neurodiverse talent into the workforce, the STEM industry needs to embrace new approaches to fill the skills gap in the UK. Without it, we are likely to see more talent leaving the UK after Brexit.
Rebecca joined the HRreview editorial team in January 2016. After graduating from the University of Sheffield Hallam in 2013 with a BA in English Literature, Rebecca has spent five years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past she has been part of the editorial teams at Sleeper and Dezeen and has founded her own arts collective.
- Rebecca Clarke
- Rebecca Clarke
- Rebecca Clarke
- Rebecca Clarke
