STEM Further Education sector workforce agenda

31 January 2008

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) further education (FE) workforce in England has been the focus for a special interest discussion forum. Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) chaired a high level meeting on 15 January attended by a number of other Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and senior officers from both the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department for Universities, Innovation and Skills (DIUS). The purpose of the meeting was to explore some of the STEM agenda issues across the various SSCs and to gain buy-in from the Departments to take the agenda forward on behalf of employers.

LLUK, along with 10 other STEM focused SSCs, wish to open discussion on the issues and opportunities relating to the FE Sector STEM workforce. A recent initial review report produced by LLUK set out the challenges and opportunities in taking forward the STEM agenda. The report looks specifically at workforce data collection, workforce planning, and development and reform.