The STEM skills gap is a major issue for employers. Because of this gap, many companies cannot hire the talent they need to keep their businesses running smoothly and efficiently. This causes them to struggle with their bottom line.
However, one group of students can help fix this problem: students who have studied Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in high school or college. STEM learning enables these students to be equipped with the skills needed to get hired by these companies and start working immediately.
Jobs in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are expected to grow more than twice as quickly as all other jobs over the coming ten years. According to the 2019-29 employment estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in the STEM industry are predicted to expand by 8.0 percent by 2029, compared to 3.7 percent for all jobs.
However, the question is: why do employers want to hire STEM-qualified students? Here are three reasons:
Growing Demand For STEM Students
The world is changing at a rapid pace, and with that, the demand for STEM-qualified individuals is increasing.
A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that over the next decade, jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math will witness roughly 166,452 employment opportunities by 2031. This means that there will be more demand for STEM-qualified students among employers in order to fill these vacancies.
Many employers are looking for employees with a background in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to fill their job openings. The number of jobs that require a strong understanding of STEM skills has increased dramatically over the past decade. The reason for this is simple: the world is changing fast, and the economy is becoming more complex.
The need for individuals who can solve problems and make things happen has never been greater than it is now. As companies continue to grow and expand their operations globally, they’re looking for people who can help them stay competitive in an increasingly challenging environment.
STEM-Qualified Employees Bring Critical Thinking To The Workforce
Those who have gone through a STEM course are likely to bring critical thinking to the workforce.
This is because their education has prepared them to think more scientifically, which means they’re able to evaluate problems in a way that can be applied to many different industries, even outside of the technology field. This type of thinking is what employers need, and it’s also what makes STEM graduates so valuable.
Here are two reasons why hiring STEM-qualified employees is smart for your business:
1. They’re Versatile
STEM-qualified employees have been trained to think critically about problems and solve them in new ways. As a result, their skills can be applied in a variety of industries and fields, including software engineering or data science. This makes them highly valuable for any company looking for an employee who has the ability to adapt quickly and effectively (i.e., someone who will get things done).
2. They’re Creative Problem Solvers
Those who have studied science know how to approach problems from multiple angles and come up with unique solutions. This makes them especially valuable in situations where there aren’t clear right or wrong answers, such as when working on complex technical projects or solving difficult business problems, because they can help you find new ways forward if something isn’t working out exactly how you’d hoped it would work.
Another motivating factor why employers are keen on hiring STEM students is that STEM students are more likely to have a bachelor’s degree, which makes them qualified for jobs. For instance, STEM employees have double the possibility of earning a bachelor’s degree or more education as compared to other employees (67% vs. 34%). In addition, around three-quarters of these employees have a degree in a STEM field.
STEM-Led Innovations Across Industries
The world is experiencing a wave of STEM-led innovation. It’s what’s driving some of the most exciting changes in industries like medicine, technology, and manufacturing.
Here are three reasons employers are motivated to hire STEM-qualified students:
1. They need them. The same technological advances that are driving STEM-led innovation are also creating a growing demand for skilled workers. That means employers are looking for people who can take advantage of these innovations and put them to work in their companies.
2. They want them. Employers don’t just want employees who can use the new technologies. They want those employees to think about how the technologies might be used even better in the future. That’s where STEM-qualified individuals come in: they’re able to imagine new possibilities with existing technology and imagine how it could be used in other contexts than it currently is. That ability is invaluable to any organization trying to stay competitive in today’s economy.
3. They know they need them. Employers know that having a workforce that understands how science works give them an edge over their competitors both now and in the future as scientific advances continue at breakneck speed.
Wrapping Up
STEM-qualified students are valuable to employers for a lot of reasons, and we’ve covered a few of them here. But the most important thing to remember is that STEM courses are important for everyone.
They provide a broad range of skills that can help you succeed in any field, including things like communication and problem-solving. And they allow you to learn more about yourself and your interests.