Two out of 3 women said they were not encouraged to pursue a career in STEM.
The numbers are getting better
by IW Staff for Industry Week
Photo: Thinkstock
Six in 10 Americans are interested in pursuing STEM careers, according to a new survey by Emerson.
However only 39% have ”felt encouraged to do so,” the study concludes.
To keep up with the rapid pace of change, workers of both genders are increasingly looking to their employers to address these upskilling needs: 79% of global respondents said they believe companies should do more to train and prepare their workforce.
“As automation and technology become truly ingrained in our workplaces and schools, there’s a growing urgency to prepare the workforce with STEM skills that will be critical to the continued strength of the global economy,” said David N. Farr, CEO, Emerson. “We want to lead the charge in making strategic investments that will provide both the current and future workforce with the right skillsets to succeed in one of the many tremendous careers made available – from software development to new technologies in manufacturing.”
The growing emphasis on boosting STEM education is not surprising, as most of the world (94%) say they consider STEM education important to their respective country’s future. Despite this universal understanding of the importance of STEM, less than half of people surveyed believe their country is ahead in STEM innovation. Creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to pursue STEM can help address this perception – and contribute to growing the global STEM workforce.
