STEM skills gap widens as education becomes most desirable sector

-

Education and Business Management top the list of the most desirable industries graduates are hoping to enter, according to the world’s largest jobsite, Indeed.

Skills
Computing and Mathematics are falling behind in the list of most desirable graduate careers

The survey shows that Computing and Mathematics are the industries with the most open graduate roles in 2015, which comes as the third most desirable sector for graduates.

From a survey of 1,000 UK students and graduates, Architecture and Engineering is the only other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) industry to fall within graduates’ list of top ten career destinations, a list which is dominated by vocational careers such as, Psychology and Law.

Gerard Murnaghan, VP EMEA, Indeed comments:

HRreview Logo

Get our essential weekday HR news and updates.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Keep up with the latest in HR...
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Optin_date
This field is hidden when viewing the form

 

“With Britain facing an annual shortfall of around 40,000 STEM graduates, Indeed’s hiring data demonstrates a potential skills shortage in a key industry where growth and development are needed. Recent research from Indeed reflects this point, indicating that younger generations favour office-based, creative jobs in Sales, Arts, Design, Media and Education – worryingly considering such roles don’t even make the top three hiring industries.

“On the flip side, the data demonstrates that more graduates are searching for entry level roles in nursing than are actually hiring (Nursing comes in sixth place in the list of industries graduates are hoping to enter, but Healthcare as a whole comes in ninth place when it comes to industries looking to hire graduates). With a constant stream of news around the lack of nurses in Britain (a recent report revealed that the UK falls short of 24,000 nurses largely due to tougher immigration rules), it begs the question – are Britain’s graduating nurses not up to scratch?”

The majority of graduates seem to be blind to the mismatch with under half (42%) saying they have researched entry level job availability in their market. One in five (21%) admit they aren’t sure how many entry level roles are available in their sector. A shocking third (36%) have no idea if their sought after industry is even recruiting for entry level roles at all.

Murnaghan adds:

“It is concerning to see such a disconnect between industries graduates desire to join verses those actually hiring. As we educate young people of the importance of the STEM subjects – which make up most of the top 5 recruiting industries – it is imperative job seekers see the employment value in it.”

 

The top industries hiring the most graduate roles in the UK are:

  1. Computing and Mathematics
  2. Finance
  3. Architecture and Engineering
  4. Sales
  5. Education, Training and Library
  6. Life, Physical and Social Science
  7. Office and Administrative Support
  8. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media
  9. Healthcare

The top industries graduates are hoping to enter following graduation are:

  1. Education
  2. Business Management
  3. Computing and Mathematics
  4. Finance
  5. Architecture and Engineering
  6. Nursing
  7. Marketing and PR
  8. Psychology
  9. Law

Amie Filcher is an editorial assistant at HRreview.

Latest news

NHS badge review raises wider questions about political expression at work

A government-backed NHS review has reignited debate over political symbols at work and how employers can balance protected beliefs with workplace conduct.

Andrew Fettes-Brown: Leading with curiosity – why the built environment needs a culture shift to allow for innovation

Curiosity creates the conditions for learning, growth and understanding. It encourages us to interrogate problems properly rather than rushing to solutions.

Mental health ‘stigma’ still stops staff speaking to managers

Most employees remain uncomfortable discussing mental health concerns with managers despite growing workplace wellbeing investment.

UK set for biggest rise in unemployment among G7 nations, OECD warns

Britain is forecast to record the largest rise in unemployment among G7 economies this year as economic growth slows and labour market conditions weaken.
- Advertisement -

UK employers ‘risk falling behind global rivals on AI hiring’

UK employers remain cautious about artificial intelligence in recruitment while overseas rivals move faster to adopt AI hiring tools.

Carly Jenner of Apeel Sciences

A global people leader shares how list-making, wellness routines and international teamwork shape her working day in HR.

Must read

Catherine Trombley: Global re”wire”ment

Retirement, (sigh), retirement. Everywhere you look these days from...

Madlena Pozlevic: Three top self-care tips this Stress Awareness Week

Flexible working once a week could be a way to reduce stress.
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you