Abstract
The key points of this talk are: (a) STEM skills are increasingly required by employers across a broad range of sectors. These skills help to foster systemic and critical thinking in a number of areas and are not confined to four subjects alone. Due to the increasing digitalisation of society and the world of work the demand for STEM skills will only intensify. (b) There is a need to increase the number of STEM-qualified people in Ireland and across Europe with employers highlighting a specific shortage of people with these skills. This is particularly apparent as concerns engineers, computer scientists and data analysts. To achieve this, it is necessary to raise awareness of the STEM-related careers that are available and to promote participation in STEM courses and studies, notably among women. (c) Parents, teachers, employers and education and training providers, both through their individual and joint actions, have a key role to play in fostering STEM skills acquisition.
