Women in the labour market: STEM

Science, technology, engineering, maths = STEM

STEM supplyUK STEM Graduates

2/3

UK STEM jobs

2012 STEM survey in Wales

Who influences career choice?

Early years: Parents and stereotypes

School: Parents/family, role models, teachers

Employment: line managers, family/friends,

careers advise

• Biggest careers choice influence on men and women = friends

• Parents slightly more influential for women

• Men more likely to act on Job Centre advice than women

• Women more likely to act on university careers advice than men

• In employment, women more likely to seek advice from family and friends

Barriers: STEM qualification to employment

• 8.5% women• 3.4% men

Influences on job choice: people in STEM

Availability of suitable jobs

Future progression opportunities

Progression from previous role/organisational reputation

Close to home

Flexibility/Job security

Pay

Availability of suitable jobs/Future progression opportunities

Progression from previous role/Job security

Terms and conditions

Organisational reputation

Pay

Close to home

WomenMen

Why don’t women progress in STEM?

Recommendations

Parents

Children

STEM employers

STEM adults

STEM careers, earning power

Flexibility, labour mobility

Gender-aware approach

Work experience, role models

Moving forward

Parents

Children

STEM employers

STEM adults

How can we work with parents to challenge career

stereotypes?

How can meaningful work experience/role models be incorporated at different levels

of schooling?

How can the need for labour mobility be a) facilitated or b) reduced through the use of

technology

How can careers advice services adapt to meet the needs of men

and women?

Any questions?

DiolchThank you