London domination of STEM jobs ‘could threaten regions’ ability to benefit from tech growth’
10 Dec 2018
Nine of the 10 fastest growing occupations in the UK during the period to 2024 will be tech jobs, says a report commissioned by education charity the Engineering Development Trust (EDT).
However, the existing domination of the sector by London and the South East is likely to result in a lack of opportunities in the regions, it warns.
CEO of EDT, Julie Feest, warned the result could be a drain of talent towards the capital and its surroundings.
She stated: “If London and the South East continue to dominate in tech, then we can expect to continue to see the brightest and best of our young people head to those regions for employment, rather than staying to fuel the economy in their region of origin.”
She added that the regions would either need to compete for market share with those more favoured areas or encourage their young recruits into other STEM occupations in which they had a greater presence.
“Those of us who are working to prepare young people for employment in the Fourth Industrial Revolution need to think carefully about the trends these figures reveal,” said Feest.
“If they don’t compete in tech, then regions away from London and the South East might be best advised to give young people experiences of industry in other growing STEM industry sectors in which their area has an advantage. Doing this would enable local industry to grab its opportunity to attract local talent as well as keeping able people in the local economy.”
