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<p>Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent and skills are a
vital strand of the government’s UK Science and Technology Framework, published in
2023, which aims to cement the UK’s status as a science and technology superpower
by 2030.</p><p>The department is working with the Department for Science, Innovation
and Technology, including through government-industry groups such as the Digital Skills
Council. This brings together government and industry to address current and future
demand for digital skills, including promoting routes into digital careers and the
range of opportunities to re-skill and up-skill.</p><p>The department is making it
easier for people of all ages and backgrounds to access the STEM training they need
through the ladder of opportunity provided by our skills system reforms, including:</p><ul><li>Investment
of £3.8 billion over the course of this parliament to strengthen higher education
(HE) and further education (FE).</li></ul><ul><li>Scaling up delivery of apprenticeships,
T Levels, Skills Bootcamps, and Higher Technical Qualifications, and establishing
our network of 21 Institutes of Technology.</li></ul><p>There are over 350 high-quality,
employer-designed STEM apprenticeships and from 2024 students will be able to apply
for apprenticeships on the UCAS website. The number of digital, ICT practitioner apprenticeship
starts have increased year-on-year since 2019/20, with 24,140 starts in the 2022/23
year (over 40% increase compared to starts in the 2019/20 year).</p><p>Over 1,000
Skills Bootcamps are available across the country, offering training in tech subjects
such as software development, cyber security and data analytics.</p><p>The introduction
of a Lifelong Learning Entitlement will transform access to FE and HE, offering all
adults the equivalent of four years’ worth of student loans to use flexibly on quality
education and skills training over their lifetime.</p><p>These programmes are achieving
the vision set out in the UK Science and Technology Framework to boost the supply
of tech skills.</p><p> </p>
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