New support centre to tackle skills shortages threatening science industry

A new science support centre bringing together business, schools and colleges will be set up to combat major skills shortages outlined in a study published today.

Commissioned by the Mayor of London's London Development Agency (LDA) and the Learning and Skills Council, the study found that false perceptions and a lack of quality resources were the main reasons that pupils and teachers are put off science subjects. In response, the LDA and educational charity SETNET will launch The STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) Support Centre for London this autumn to help reinvigorate interest among students and teachers.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: "It is critical to London's economic prosperity that young people are motivated to study and take up careers in science and maths. But the capital must also attract and retain first-rate teachers and lecturers who can inspire and motivate our young people.

"The STEM Support Centre is a step in the right direction to ensuring we offer Londoners the best possible opportunities in the science industry."

Manny Lewis, London Development Agency Chief Executive, said: "This study has looked beyond the symptoms to find the root causes of the skills gap facing London’s science industry. We've pinpointed the problems at grass roots level by speaking to the people that know - pupils, teachers and employers.

"Changes are starting to be made in science education and the LDA will accelerate the process in London by bringing together industry with education and engaging London’s young people."

Key findings in the report, called Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: Achieving world class skills for London, include:

Education

• 13-14 years old is the most crucial age in getting pupils interested in science subjects, but there is a false perception that they are boring and difficult
• Careers advisers rarely promote the excellent career opportunities available, while the national curriculum frustrates teachers who want to innovate
• An ageing workforce due to a shortage of new teachers, lecturers and technicians
• Particular problems in inner city schools such as poor equipment and lack of discipline
• London's high cost of living deters some students from postgraduate STEM study, which affects the capital’s ability to attract and retain key workers
• Many colleges provide outdated training that doesn't meet modern industrial needs (64 per cent of applicants to STEM positions lack the required qualifications).

Industry

• Under representation of BAME groups, women and disabled people– the LDA has undertaken research in the barriers they face in the science and technology sectors
• Migrant workers often turned down because foreign qualifications are not recognized

The STEM Support Centre work will include a website promoting STEM interventions in the capital, supporting further training courses for teachers, networking events for schools and face to face meetings with education organisations and industry bodies such as IBM.

Sir Richard Sykes, Rector of Imperial College and chairman of CATALYST -  London's Science and Industry Council, said: "Science and technology are vital to both the health and wealth of this country and in particular London. The STEM Support Centre will help bring together education and industry to reinvigorate interest in STEM subjects.

"By broadening young people's understanding of science, more will be motivated to pursue STEM related career opportunities, which in turn will help redress the capital's skills gap."

Nicola Hills, IBM Middleware Services Executive for North East Europe, said: "The needs of schools and colleges must be aligned with the needs of industry if we are to address the impending skills gap in the science and technology sectors within the capital.

"The STEM Support Centre has the potential to play a major role in making this happen through its coordination role, providing a much more exciting impact and better informed understanding of the diverse opportunities available in these sectors. I'm delighted to be involved with the project."

For further media information: please contact Andreas Christophorou at the LDA media team on 020 7593 8444, or email andreaschristophorou@lda.gov.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics: Achieving world class skills for London - was produced by independent researchers Rocket Science for the London Skills Commission.
2. A quarter of all national teacher vacancies for science subjects are in London.
3. Only 83 out of the 413 specialist schools in London specialise in science.
4. The London Development Agency prepares the Mayor's business plan for London and mobilizes the support and resources of hundreds of businesses and other partner organizations, to help build a thriving economy. The LDA is dedicated to improving sustainability, health and equality of opportunity for Londoners.
5. SETNET - the Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics Network is a UK-wide charity that promotes awareness of these subjects among young people.
6. The centre will be supported by Science and Engineering Ambassadors - SETNET's flagship programme where role models from diverse scientific and engineering backgrounds, including industry giants GlaxoSmithKline and Ford, bring inspiration to young people.
7. The STEM Support Centre will be based at the Science Learning Centre at the University of London's Institute of Education. It will be linked to CATALYST, a Science and Industry Council launched by the Mayor last year to establish London as the world’s leading centre for science, technology, design and innovation.