Last year, Get it Made conducted a survey looking into the next generation of industry workers and their future in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). We surveyed 1,000 young people and asked them this question: Would you consider
working in a STEM-related career in the future?

Our findings revealed to us a couple of important statistics:

● 47% of those aged 30 and under would consider working in a STEM-related field in the future.
● 26% of women aged 30 and under, and who are not already in the industry, would consider working in a STEM-related field in the future.
● 15% of those 18-20 years old who are not already in the industry, would consider working in a STEM-related field in the future.
● 46% of those 18-20 years old, and who are currently working in STEM positions, are not considering it for the long-term future.

These findings are incredibly revealing in a number of different ways. It showed us that while almost half of the young people we surveyed would like a future in STEM, many of the younger ones (those who are about to leave school/are starting University) are not attracted to STEM jobs. More importantly, the younger people who were currently working in STEM positions did not want a future within the industry.

Careers in this industry are on the rise, with STEM jobs expected to account for 7.8% of all jobs in the UK by 2023 (according to edfENERGY*). However, the 18-20-year-olds we surveyed presented us with a troubling stat, and they gave us a look into the future where there may be a shortfall of workers in the next 5 to 10 years.

It’s up to STEM companies and brands, and how they recruit today, to determine the future of STEM and its workers. Based on our survey, companies who are struggling to hire skilled STEM talent in 2022 should focus on attracting hires from these three groups: young women, millennials, and students.

How to recruit young women in STEM


Women in general, not to mention young women, are greatly underrepresented in STEM careers. However, our survey findings suggest that there is a growing interest and leaning toward STEM by young women than ever before. The best way to encourage that interest is to cultivate it by partnering with them at the university level and hiring them before graduation. That way, you can train them in house and potentially create a network of successful role models in the future.

Studies have shown that companies have stronger financial results when they are ranked high for gender diversity. Investing in this new generation of female industry workers is a great way to encourage these results.

How to recruit millennials for STEM
Millennials now account for a big chunk of the workforce, and they expect a lot from potential employers. In order to attract STEM millennial talent, companies need to become better at communicating their values, their passion for diversity and inclusion, and showcasing a positive work culture.

For example, small companies are more likely to recruit the best in millennial STEM talent. This is because they are often able to provide employees with the ability to work remotely as well as more flexible roles compared to larger companies. If you want to attract the top STEM talent in those aged 30 and under, offer and advertise challenging, positive, and flexible work

How to recruit students in STEM


Gen Z accounts for nearly 19% of the UK’s population. And while this generation also highly values diversity and inclusion, they also have a keen interest in working for the greater good, making an impact, and being employed by a company is passionate about social issues change.

In fact, according to the Deloitte Global 2021 Millennial and Gen Z survey*, Gen Z is expecting to see a devotion to inclusion, the environment, and social change. The best way to attract Gen Z STEM candidates is to emphasise your company’s social responsibility and showcase your commitment to social change and accountability.

No matter which group you aim to recruit from, STEM companies and brands have a lot of work ahead of them to create a working environment and culture that will turn the younger generation’s heads towards STEM.

Get it Made director Luke Smoothy says, “The key here for the big firms, start-ups and even universities and recruiters in the industry is to pave the wave for progression and ensure job satisfaction is high… Time is of the essence, and I call on all STEM brands to focus on the 47% of those 30 and under considering jobs in our industry, and look to work together to boost this to a higher 60%+ in the coming years.”

About the author: Luke Smoothy is the Director and Founder of Get It Made Ltd. Get It Made specialises in bespoke parts manufacturing and CNC machining services.

You can see Get It Made’s website here: https://get-it-made.co.uk/

For further information on anything in this article, the team at Get It Mad can be contacted via the contact page here: https://get-itmade.co.uk/contact/

*https://ckcareersonline.org.uk/stem-science-technology-engineering-and-maths
*https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/millennialsurvey.html