STEM – is it key to supporting skills gaps?

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are increasingly vital in the world today and the study of these subjects benefits all of us, whether we realise it or not.

We are all living in a world struggling to deal with issues such as climate change and a rising population, with associated demands on water supply, food security, labour supply, and energy and fuel security; issues which are having a direct impact on many businesses in the environmental and land-based sector. The development of STEM skills is therefore essential to the future of the economy in order to develop a skilled generation with exciting careers ahead of them. Lantra’s Director for Scotland, Willie Fergusson said: “As a society we are increasingly dependent on technology, and our economy reflects a growing dependence on technology based businesses. Environmental and land-based industries are no different; they too are grappling with the global market challenges facing both the sector and Scotland’s economy. He continued: “Attracting appropriately skilled entrants and supporting career development are crucial to industry. Scotland’s prosperity therefore depends on our ability to innovate, which will require young people to gain a firm foundation in the STEM subjects. The Government wants to increase students’ STEM skills in order to provide employers with the skills they need in their workforce, which will help to maintain the UK’s global competitiveness.” Danny Logue from Skills Development Scotland said: “During recent visits to a range of employers across Scotland I was amazed to discover the wide range of technical skills being used within the various industries, and the fact that many of these skills are very much linked to science and the STEM industries.” As an economy, we are trading on a world stage against countries which have been pursuing the growth of STEM over an extended period of time. Our challenge is no different; we need a workforce with STEM qualifications if we are to sustain growth in our economy. The environmental and land-based sector consists of modern and technical industries which comprise of a large number of jobs roles which are reliant on STEM subjects including veterinary nurses and animal health experts, arboriculturists and bio-engineers. For more information on careers relevant to STEM or Lantra visit www.lantra.co.uk or call 01738 553311. ENDS ISSUED BY: For further information please contact the LANTRA PRESS OFFICE Paula Smyth, Marketing, Communications and Project Co-ordinator Tel: 028 7963 1304 or e-mail ni.media@lantra.co.uk CREDIT FOR PHOTO: Vet at work EDITORS NOTES: • Lantra is an employer-led organisation which is licensed by the UK government to drive forward the skills, training and business development agenda for the 17 industries in the sector. The industries represented are: agricultural crops; agricultural livestock; animal care; animal technology; aquaculture; environmental conservation; equine; farriery; fencing; fisheries management; floristry; game and wildlife management; horticulture, landscape and sports turf; land-based engineering; production horticulture; trees and timber; and veterinary nursing.

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