Students see career opportunities in science and tech
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Survey suggests that by focusing students' minds on employability, the credit crunch may in fact be helping to close the IT skills gap
Fears for an IT skills gap brought on by declining interest in maths and science could be misplaced, according to research from systems integrator Logicalis.
The survey of 1000 UK students aged 13-17 found that 30% of girls and 39% of boys believe that science, IT and engineering courses to offer the best career prospects. In fact, of the course choices offered, science was the most popular choice for boys (37%), even ahead of sport (31%). Among girls science ranked the same as media (17%).
The students’ decisions could be affected by worries over the recession and their employability – only 29% of those interviewed said their decisions over university choices would be unaffected by the credit crunch. And while career prospects, employability and enjoyment were roughly equal motivators for course choice, money ranked the highest motivation for both sexes.
While higher education is proving popular for its intrinsic benefits – 80% of boys and 70% of girls intended to pursue academic rather than vocational education – the students proved that when it comes to actually choosing a campus, they are not above bribery: 52% said a free laptop or iPhone would entice them to join a particular college.
This article raises a very important point about the value given to vocational education and training. It is clear from the survey responses that young students believe that science, sports and media are relevant learning choices. But surely these choices are all vocational in nature? The article indicates that one of the main factors influencing learner choices is the current economic climate and concerns over their future employability. If this is the case, where better to learn about the work environment than from vocational education and training programmes which are specifically designed to provide the link between education and the workplace. There are many examples of how vocational learning has helped young people, of varying abilities and interests, make those first steps into the job market and we need to promote these examples, rather than continue to peddle misguided notions that vocational training is in some way second rate. I am not arguing that these misconceptions are the fault of the young people involved but rather a symptom of the need to address the careers guidance information we are giving to our future workforce.
Kate Shoesmith
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