Low STEM take-up could harm economy

The UK could risk losing its place as a global economic power if the government does not encourage more students to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects, businesses have warned.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) made the comments after a report by Durham University revealed it is easier for students to get high A-Level grades in arts-based subjects than in science.

Subjects such as physics, biology or engineering were found to be ‘a whole grade’ more difficult than sociology, English or drama, the report’s compilers, science community lobby group Score, said.

Dr Robert Coe, one of the report’s authors, said grades in different subjects need to be treated differently.

“We need more sophisticated ways of recognising that the same grade may indicate quite different levels of ability or may be much easier to achieve in one subject than another,” he said.

David Frost, director general of the BCC, said the report is ‘terrible news’.
“The UK's economy is riddled with skills shortages in several key sectors, and our science, technology, engineering and maths subject take up remains depressingly poor,” he added.

"If the UK is to globally compete as an advanced industrial nation we will need a stream of highly skilled individuals with qualifications in both science and technology. If we do not do this we will become a second division economic power."

© Crimson Business Ltd. 2008