About Teach First

STEM challenge

What is the STEM challenge?

45% of employers are concerned that they will not fill posts in their organisations that require graduate or higher level STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) qualifications.

This is creating a real and tangible problem in the UK: there is a lack of STEM professionals in a society that is becoming increasingly focused on innovation. Jobs of the future will increasingly require people with the capabilities that a STEM qualification provides.

This scarcity of skills in the face of global competition needs to be addressed by opening the eyes of young people to STEM careers and by training more teachers in STEM disciplines. Without an inspiring STEM teacher, pupils studying these subjects may not fulfill their potential, may not study the subjects at university, and could miss out on crucial STEM-specific job opportunities.

To tackle the shortage of STEM professionals, there is an urgent need to understand why STEM graduates are not pursuing careers in teaching or STEM sectors generally.

STEM research

Teach First has conducted a UK wide study into the motivations, aspirations and employability of STEM undergraduates. The focus is on:

1. Ascertaining the main motivating factors behind career choice
2. Exploring the UK students' own perception of an employability skills gap, or lack thereof

trendence, a leading provider of market research and consultancy, conducted the research on behalf of Teach First.

STEM Advisory Board

Teach First has collaborated with a number of prestigious STEM organisations who have helped to shape the direction of this research piece.

The following organisations have generously contributed to the project:

• Institution of Engineering and Technology
• Institute of Physics
• The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
• The Ogden Trust
• The Royal Society
• The Wellcome Trust

Find out more

If you are interested in finding out more about the STEM challenge and the findings from our research, please email Elin at emorris@teachfirst.org.uk