STEM promotion continues to lead the way...

PROMOTING STEM as an educational and career choice for women has gained plenty of traction in recent years. Currently there is over 120,000 people in Ireland working in the STEM sector (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). Education isn’t confined to one specific gender, but the important contribution women bring to STEM jobs and education is growing.

Just under 30 percent of women are involved in STEM jobs, which is hugely disproportionate to the numbers of men employed in the sector. This has led to a relatively new and nationwide campaign to encourage more girls to study STEM subjects and choose their careers in STEM.

A growing number of schools and universities now appreciate the diversity that women bring to the STEM sector. Based on 2017 research from ‘I Will’ (an Irish group promoting women and STEM) it’s estimated that due to a lack of female participation in STEM equates to a loss of around 50 percent of the talent pool in the sector.

By changing this trend, it would go a long way towards solving the current skills gap in the industry.

In another survey it was found that 88 percent of adults believe a consistent supply of STEM graduates is critical to Ireland’s economic growth. This links in nicely with 71 percent of people who believe an investment in STEM will have a positive impact on job creation.