The supply of and demand for high-level STEM skills

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills are crucial to innovation and growth. Studies have shown that innovation-active enterprises employ higher proportions of graduates in general and, in particular, a higher proportion of STEM graduates than their non-innovative counterparts (CIHE, 2007 p. 17). The report provides estimates of the supply of (employment plus an estimate of those seeking work in STEM occupations) and demand for (employment plus vacancies for STEM posts) STEM graduates. The results are primarily based on the Labour Force Survey, but many other sources of information are utilised. The measures of supply and demand are brought together for the UK, at the national level for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and at the level of the nine planning regions for England. The study examines the estimated historical and projected market imbalances for STEM.