The growing demand for STEM skills
In recent years, European companies have expressed a growing need for workers with skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). According to a recent report by the Deloitte Foundation, more than 50% of the companies interviewed found it difficult to find suitable profiles. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the ICT sectors, where only 19.5% of students specialize in these areas, and women represent only 20.3% of
this group.
The challenges for women in STEM
Gender disparity is a central theme in the debate on STEM skills. Only 12.4% of female students dedicate themselves to studies in the ICT field, while in engineering the percentage is 27%. These data highlight how women are underrepresented in key sectors, despite the fact that natural sciences, mathematics and statistics have achieved gender parity with 50.3% of female students. Cultural stereotypes and gender discrimination continue to hinder girls’ access to these disciplines, with 73% of female students reporting having experienced episodes of
discrimination.
Strategies for dealing with skills shortages
To address the shortage of STEM skills, companies are adopting different strategies. Among these, offering more competitive salaries is one of the most common measures, with 59% of small companies and 65% of large companies intending to implement this policy. However, the real revolution must start with the education system. Currently, only 26.6% of students in Europe are enrolled in tertiary education courses in the technical-scientific field, a figure that has not changed significantly in the last ten years. It is crucial that educational institutions promote interest in STEM from a young age, encouraging girls to pursue careers
in these sectors.