STEM Related Job Market
STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).
According to statistics from the Department of Economy, 79,000 people were employed to STEM occupations in 2022, a rise of 16,000 since 2018. These jobs are over a broad range of industries, from drinks manufacturers to audio technology firms, to airline seating companies.
Over the past year, the Department of the Economy has delivered Assured Skills Academies in Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Data Engineering, Digital Engineering, Digital Skills and Software Engineering, highlighting the STEM areas in demand in 2023/24.
This has highlighted the tech sector as being one of the most insulated sectors in terms of job requirements and demands. There is still a skills shortage of employees with the right skills to meet these demands.
Companies are using e-commerce and customer data to focus on how they should move their business forward.
Businesses are now more pro-active than ever before in seeking STEM graduates, through attendance at schools, universities and career fairs. There has also been a raise in apprenticeships and placement students within the STEM market.
Employers also highlight that digitalisation will bring new opportunities for analytics and associated opportunities for big data integration.
Does Northern Ireland have the STEM supply to meet the growing demand?
Ulster Business (Dec, 2023)
