STEM

Year 12 CareersFollow up to the STEM Memory Game

What is STEM?

STEM groups together the following subjects –

Science Technology Engineering Maths.

STEM Related Subjects

Chemistry Biology Physics Maths T.D. Engineering ICT Geology

Construction Agriculture Environmental

Science Psychology Food Science

and Technology Health

Sciences Manufacturing

Why all the Fuss about STEM? The Government has identified STEM

as a national priority.

Industry and research need EXPERTS in STEM.

The UK is facing more competition from countries like India and China who are already ahead of the UK in STEM development.

Did you know ?

75% of the fastest growing occupations need STEM skills.

STEM graduates are and will be in high demand.

Studying STEM subjects lead to - Excellent job prospects. High earning potential. Variety and challenge. Opportunities to travel The chance to make a difference

to a sustainable future.

STEM subjects, combined with a literary subject or a language at A Level can develop an excellent variety of skills valued by employers.

The Matrix Report

This examined employment opportunities over the next 10 years.

It predicts growth in -

Agri-food Renewable energy Creative industries ICT and electronics Life and health sciences Engineering Pharmaceuticals

Possible Agri-food related Higher Education courses Food Technology (at CAFRE) Food Design and Nutrition

(CAFRE) Food Management and Marketing

(CAFRE) Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition

(QUB) Agricultural Technology

(CAFRE/QUB or Harper Adams)

Possible Renewable Energy related Higher Education courses Energy and Building Services

Engineering (at UUJ) Clean Technology (UUJ) Environmental and Civil Engineering

(QUB) HND in Renewable Technology (Wind

Turbine Technology) at SW College Mechanical Engineering (QUB and UUJ)

Possible Creative Technology Higher Education Courses Creative Multimedia (QUB) Computer Games Development (QUB

and UU) Creative Media Production (SW

College) Product Design and Development

(QUB) Music Technology and Sonic Arts (QUB) Creative Technologies (UU) Interactive Multimedia Design (UU)

Possible ICT/Electronics Higher Education Courses Computer Science (QUB and UU) Electronics and Computer

Systems (UU) Software Engineering (UU) Electrical and Electronic

Engineering QUB and UU) Web Technology and e-commerce

(QUB)

Possible Life and Health Sciences Higher Education Courses Dentistry (QUB) Pharmacy (QUB and UUJ) Medicine (QUB) Biomedical Sciences (QUB and UUC) Nursing (QUB and UU) Pharmacology Physiotherapy (UUJ) Dietetics (UUC)

Biomedical Engineering (UUC) Occupational Therapy (UUJ) Speech and Language Therapy

(UUJ) Optometry (UUC) Radiography (UUJ) Social Work (QUB and UU) Sport and Exercise Sciences (UUJ)

Possible Engineering Higher Education Courses Chemical Engineering (QUB) Civil Engineering (QUB, UUJ, SW

College) Agricultural Engineering (Harper

Adams) Aerospace Engineering (QUB) Manufacturing Engineering (QUB) Mechanical Engineering (QUB and UUJ) Building Engineering and Materials

(UUJ)

Construction Engineering and Management (UUJ)

Electronic and Electrical Engineering (QUB and UUJ)

Marine Engineering Environmental Engineering (QUB) Software Engineering (QUB and

UU) Food Engineering (Harper Adams)

Possible Pharmaceutical Related Higher Education Courses Chemical Engineering (QUB) Pharmacy (QUB and UUJ) Pharmacology Biochemistry (QUB) Chemistry (QUB) Chemistry with Forensic Analysis

(QUB)

But remember – the top employers will be looking for the best graduates in these disciplines i.e. those with 1st class honours or 2:1 degrees.

They are not looking not looking for ‘also rans’.

Why STEM Why Now?

5.5% decline in UCAS applications for STEM courses from 2005/06 to 2006-07.

31% fall in students taking A-Level Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

80% of foreign investment in N.Ireland in 2008 was in ICT, Business and Financial Services, Pharmaceuticals and the Engineering sectors.

In the Republic of Ireland - the Irish Government drive to

promote and incentivise the R&D sector in the pharmaceutical, green-energy and IT industries

Cork is the world's second greatest centre of pharmaceutical operations after Switzerland

N.I Workforce Development Targets To increase the number of students

studying STEM degrees by 25% by 2015.

To grow the Creative Industries sector by 15% by 2011 (e.g. multi-media and music technology).

To ensure 12% of our electricity is generated from local renewable sources by 2012.

Careers in Green Energy

The drive to shift the source of Britain’s energy needs away from dirty coal and imported gas to low-carbon technologies is increasing.

As a result 200,000 new engineers will be needed over the next 5 years.

Companies may have problems finding workers with the necessary skills and qualifications.

60,000 new recruits needed in next 10 years in wind and marine energy industries.

British Govt. and the EU have pledged to cut carbon emissions and encourage low-carbon industries.

Too few students enrolling for degrees required to enter this industry.

‘clean-tech’ industries offer huge opportunities.

Search is on for everyone from maintenance technicians and machinists to mechanical, electrical, civil and chemical engineers as well as mathematicians and physicists.

Also need people capable of managing and dealing with the financial aspects of these growing companies.

4 of the top 10 graduate salaries are in engineering disciplines.

Starting salary around £28,000.

Competition from China and India who are both creating more engineering graduates than the UK.

Shortage of graduates in STEM subjects in the UK.

Also encouraging nuclear power. Therefore opportunities for people with degrees in physics and maths.

Nuclear power cheaper than other types of renewable energy.

70% of current employees in nuclear power industry due to retire by 2025.

Nuclear power industry will need 1,000 graduates each year until 2025.

Needs people with STEM qualifications as well as project managers and general managers.

More than 80% of workers in the nuclear power industry are men – therefore there is a huge opportunity for women to gain employment in this and ALL types of engineering.

Case Study: David McKee (Technical Director of B9 Organic Energy, Larne)

Graduate in Chemical Engineering from QUB.

Currently helping to develop a carbon neutral engine for a new generation of cargo ships designed to bring biomass fuel from renewable sources like forestry, from the Baltic States to the UK.

Working on a methane powered engine that would be used to supplement sails to power the fleet of cargo vessels.

Support Functions

Support staff also needed in–

Accounts, Human Resources, IT, Marketing.

The Future of Engineering