UK must boost number of science graduates, warns business organisation
The UK needs to double the proportion of people studying science or engineering subjects at university, or risk losing jobs to other countries, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has warned. Currently around 12% of UK graduates leave university with science or engineering degrees, however the projected increase in science and technology jobs means this figure needs to rise to 25%, the CBI has calculated. The business organisation is concerned that failure could lead to the UK losing its leading position in key industries such as pharmaceuticals, aerospace and biotechnology. 'Britain has a world class science base and many world-beating companies but we must build on these strengths, not allow them to wither on the vine,' said CBI Deputy Director General John Cridland. 'Our future success will depend on our ability to compete not only with our traditional international rivals but new ones too, particularly India and China. These two emerging giants are producing hundreds of thousands of engineers and scientists a year, all ready to fight for a slice of the pie in business sectors which the UK has traditionally done so well in.' The CBI has identified four weaknesses in the education system which, they believe, are deterring students from going on to study science at university. Top of the list is the poor state of laboratories in many schools. The Royal Society of Chemistry has described one in four school labs as 'unsafe' and four in 10 'basic and uninspiring' The lack of teachers with specialist knowledge is also highlighted, as is a curriculum which does not devote enough time to science. Finally, the CBI notes that poor careers advice is failing to stimulate young people's interest in the well paid careers available to those with science and engineering qualifications. 'We need to ensure our education system can give young people the skills they need,' said Mr Cridland. 'This means modern laboratories where pupils can enjoy the fun, hands-on aspects of science under the tuition of teachers with the specialist knowledge to give them the depth of knowledge and inspiration they need.' The CBI encourages the government to release GBP 200 million (€295 million) which has been earmarked for improving schools' science facilities but has yet to be spent. 'If we don't step up to the plate then the companies which have helped build up the UK's science base will be faced with no alternative but to go overseas,' commented Mr Cridland. 'They are increasingly recruiting from abroad and the danger is they may relocate altogether.'
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