State of STEM: The nature and scope of the STEM talent gap

--> Over the last 20 years, the perceived ‘gap in STEM-ready workers’ has been a focus area for employers, educators, job-seekers, students, and more. Despite this, there is still dissonance about the nature and scope of the STEM talent gap. 
This report has set out to understand this lack of consensus, building on other foundational research, while laying out a new, comprehensive framework. 

State of STEM illustrates the current STEM landscape including the organizations, systems, and influences that comprise and shape it.

Key Findings:
 

 1. Fundamental Skills Gap: 

Industry and education have identified skills that young people need to succeed as lifelong workers and active citizens, but not enough young people are developing that foundation.

2. Belief Gap:

Young people, and adults around them, hold incorrect beliefs about the aptitude or traits young people must have to belong and thrive in STEM fields.

3. Postsecondary Education Gap: 

The new knowledge economy requires credentials beyond a high school diploma, but not enough young people are earning those credentials. 

4. Geographic Gap: 

Hubs of economic growth, particularly for businesses requiring STEM skills, are often far from large concentrations of qualified job seekers or far from population centers. 

5. Demographic Gap: 

Tthere is disproportionate participation in STEM jobs based on race, gender, and income, despite decades of focus on diversity and inclusion.