STEM Ready Workforce
We inspire a future-ready STEM workforce.
In an era where technological advancements shape the fabric of our society, the urgency to address the shortcomings in STEM education has never been more pressing. Both Kentucky and the nation at large confront a critical challenge concerning the performance and engagement of students in STEM disciplines, leading to a widening talent deficit. Through a range of meticulously designed programs, events, and outreach endeavors, local youth are being galvanized to explore the realms of science, technology, engineering, and math. These efforts not only ignite passion and curiosity but also serve as a crucial conduit, funneling a stream of proficient talent towards the burgeoning needs of regional businesses.
Embedded within the rich tapestry lies a legacy of innovation, nurtured by robust collaborations between STEM employers and educators. This symbiotic relationship not only underscores the region's commitment to technological advancement but also positions it as a vanguard in shaping the future trajectory of STEM education. Leveraging this historical foundation and fortified by steadfast partnerships, the region stands uniquely equipped to mold the next generation of critical thinkers and innovators. By instilling a sense of purpose and possibility in the minds of young learners, southeastern Wisconsin is catalyzing a transformative shift, ensuring that the talent pipeline remains vibrant and responsive to the evolving demands of a technology-driven world.
Workforce Readiness Requires Stronger STEM Education
Numerous business articles and reports share concerns that the US is falling behind in building a strong global workforce. For example, reports that the US will need to fill 3.5 million STEM jobs by 2025, with more than two million going unfilled due to a lack of highly skilled candidates, have some calling it a crisis.
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workers play a critical role in the sustained growth and stability of the US economy. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators - all vital components of the products and processes that sustain the US economy and contribute to its ability to be a global force.
Innovation and science literacy depends on a solid knowledge base in the STEM areas and most future jobs will require a basic understanding of math and science. But, recent reports show that US students lag behind other developing countries' mathematics and science scores. So what can we do to create a strong STEM workforce?
Stem Education is Workforce Readiness
The United States lags behind other countries in developing a competitive workforce.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workers are crucial for the growth and competitiveness of the US economy.
STEM education fosters critical thinking, enhances science literacy, and prepares future innovators.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% growth in STEM occupations by 2031.
However, a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report forecasts a shortage of 3.4 million skilled technical workers by 2022, with projections of a more significant shortage by 2025.
A survey by the Walton Family Foundation found that 62% of middle and high school students are open to careers in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, financial technology, internet networks, or semiconductors.
95% of teachers agree on the necessity of preparing students for future careers, including STEM.
Only 20% of high school graduates are prepared for STEM majors, with less than half of US high schools offering computer science classes.
There is a need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to STEM education, particularly for historically underserved students, rural areas, and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Research by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) indicates that taking advanced math and science courses in high school is a strong predictor of post-secondary STEM success, but there is a participation disparity between Hispanic and white students.
Efforts to improve STEM education must address gaps and disparities, focusing on universal access to high-quality content, deployment of digital tools, and increased availability of STEM opportunities in high schools.
Black and Hispanic workers remain underrepresented in the STEM workforce
Black and Hispanic workers remain underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce compared with their share of all workers, including in computing jobs, which have seen considerable growth in recent years.
The representation of women varies widely across STEM occupations. Women make up a large majority of all workers in health-related jobs, but remain underrepresented in other job clusters, such as the physical sciences, computing and engineering.
Current trends in STEM degree attainment appear unlikely to substantially narrow these gaps, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of federal employment and education data. Black and Hispanic adults are less likely to earn degrees in STEM than other degree fields, and they continue to make up a lower share of STEM graduates relative to their share of the adult population. And while women now earn a majority of all undergraduate and advanced degrees, they remain a small share of degree earners in fields like engineering and computer science – areas where they are significantly underrepresented in the work force.