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<p>Overall numbers of students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM) are rising. The share of students studying science subjects at English Higher
Education providers has increased from 41% in 2010/11 to 45% in 2016/17.</p><p>Despite
rising STEM student numbers, we are far from complacent and we know that employer
groups continue to point to an unmet demand for higher level STEM skills. This issue
seems to be particularly acute in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, engineering,
science and technology. We are therefore implementing a number of initiatives across
government to increase the numbers of STEM graduates. For example:</p><ul><li>The
Department for Education (DfE) is piloting a conversion course scheme to enable graduates
to retrain in engineering and computer science.</li><li>The Department for Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy are leading a £90 million investment in 1,000 new PhD
places, of which around 85% will be in STEM areas, and 40% will aim to boost collaboration
between industry and academia.</li><li>The government is providing funding for the
new Institute of Coding, which aims to improve digital skills provision at levels
6 and 7. It will target a skills gap in digital skills and involves collaboration
between education providers and industry.</li><li>The DfE is also supporting (with
£15 million over 3 years) the New Model in Technology & Engineering, a STEM-focused
institution due to take its first full cohort of students in 2020.</li><li>Institutes
of Technology are being established to help meet STEM skills needs at levels 4 – 6,
working closely with local employers and Local Enterprise Partnerships.</li></ul><p>Effective
careers guidance and advice is also key to supporting young people to undertake learning
in areas that will give them the skills employers are looking for. The government’s
careers strategy sets out a long-term plan to build a world class careers system to
achieve this ambition. We are increasing the information available to students to
ensure they can make informed choices about what and where to study.</p><p>As set
out in the Industrial Strategy White Paper, the Skills Advisory Panels (SAPs) programme
aims to ensure that the local provision of skills, and the delivery of skills policy
in local areas, meets and responds to changing employer needs. SAPs analysis will
inform Local Industrial Strategies and local post-16 skills provision, so that skills
provision better meets labour market needs.</p><p>Degree apprenticeships also allow
universities to build partnerships with businesses and employers and to work together
to create a skilled workforce. Employers are working in partnership with universities
and professional bodies to meet the high-level technical skills that employers and
our economy need to prosper.</p><p> </p>
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