Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697803574760.pdf (Ireland)
Joint Oirechtas Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovaiton and Science Roundtable Discussion on the Future of STEM Education in Ireland 28 March 2023 Good afternoon, My name is Claire McGee , Head of Education and Innovation Policy at Ibec.

Ibec is Ireland largest business representative organisation.

Our purpose is to help build a better, sustainable future by influencing, supporting and delivering for business success.
Ibec positions are shaped by our diverse membership, which range from small to large, domestic to multinational and our 39 trade associations cover a wide range of industry sectors.

It on this basis that I am delighted to join this Roundtable Discussion on the Future of STEM Education in Ireland, as the outcome of these critical discussions, and future policy actions, will impact all people, all businesses and all regions across the Island.
During this Roundtable series I am sure you have heard many perspectives, yet consensus across the various stakeholders on need for high quality STEM education.

I would like to use this time wisely and concentrate on why the future is STEM orientated and how building STEM literacy and capability amongst us all will be critical to Ireland’s future economic and social progress.
Digitalisation, automation, and globalisation are transforming the world of work at an unprecedented pace with significant impact for education and learning.

At the same time, broader environmental, demographic, and quality-of-life issues are interacting to create complex socio- economic challenges.

Education, skills and innovation capacity are critical enabling platforms to support business as its faces significant transformation, and transition to low carbon economy.
These challenges are not short term in nature.

As a result, business takes a broad, long-term view that education should support individuals to achieve their potential and pathway to work, but also in the promotion of active citizenship for equitable social outcomes.

STEM education can be a powerful catalyst in this regard.

Talent and Innovation – STEM’s burning platform: Ireland is known as a world leader in the development and manufacture of pharmaceuticals, ICT, medical technology and food products.
In addition, Ireland is emerging as a leading location for biopharmaceuticals, data centres, digital enterprises with a mix of start-ups, high growth SMEs and large multinationals located here.

The challenge for the Irish industry now is to retain its hard-earned size, scale and reputation by continuing to deliver world-class performance in all aspects of current operations.

An appropriately skilled workforce will be an important ingredient to meet that challenge.
These industries need a reliable, strong, ambitious and highly qualified STEM talent pipeline to realise any future growth ambitions.

Many businesses are concerned that the long-term prospects of the innovation ecosystem may be held back due to shortages of people skilled in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) disciplines.

Why is this important?


The history of Ireland’s rapid economic development in IT, High Tech, Pharmaceutical, Medical technologies and software over the past 40 years is an excellent example of how the core skills of a country can rapidly evolve to create new industries, wealth and a brighter future for all its citizens.
However, unless we also invest in our ability to continue training future generations in these key STEM disciplines, then the foundations on which our economic success has been built will become less resilient, robust and sustainable.

Given the long lead-times involved, we need look at investing more in addressing these skill-shortages as a matter of urgency.

Talent will determine our success as a future location for business.

What is needed?

1.
What is needed?

1.

STEM Literacy for curiosity, creativity and innovation and the enjoyment of teaching and learning science.

Professional development will be key.

International student achievement studies demonstrate a clear link between enjoyment of STEM learning and STEM achievement.
The PISA 2018 analysis highlighted that Ireland ranked 17th our of 35 OECD countries for science and reported that Irish students have considerably lower levels of engagement in science-related activities than did students on average across OECD countries.

Primary and secondary education plays a significant role in developing the awareness, motivation and early skills for further STEM engagement.

Aspirations in pursuing a career in STEM is normally formed between ages of seven to ten.
This demonstrates the critical need to ensure that STEM education is enhanced within the rollout new primary curriculum framework.

Other recent developments across Junior and Senior Cycle, including the introduction of the LC Computer Science programme, are long overdue, but welcome developments.

These developments will also be instrumental in unlocking some of the gender presentation challenges that currently exist across STEM education and within STEM careers.
To facilitate this, teachers and educators need opportunities to acquire and enhance their knowledge, skills and attitudes to support enquiry based learning of STEM subjects.

Many European and international studies have highlighted the importance of strengthening teacher competences in STEM subjects.

For example, teachers’ professional development combined with in-school evaluation and co-teaching have shown positive results for the schools and teachers using these methods.
Industry can play an important role in facilitating teacher training through placement opportunities for ITE programmes, co-teaching by industry staff and opportunities for career service teachers to understand the skills needs for an evolving industries.

2.
2.

Investment in enhancing high level STEM capacity across higher and further education In addition to improving the STEM pipeline and enrolment numbers in STEM related programmes across the tertiary and apprenticeship system, focus must also be on delivering a high-quality STEM education experience with a strategic capital investment programme for cutting edge technology, equipment and infrastructure.
To educate, train and empower the next generation of scientists, engineers, architects, teachers, medical professionals, artists, apprentices etc, Ireland’s universities and colleges to have state of art equipment to provide a high-quality learning experience.

Ibec had long advocated for the need for greater investment in STEM education, across the continuum of education, and across higher and further education, where core funding does not cover the full economic cost of delivery.
The unit of resource funding should reflect the full economic cost of delivery, including a provision of capital infrastructure renewal, development, and upkeep.

Otherwise, universities and colleges will not be able to develop critical technology and digital skills.

Innovative talent development models, such as the new consortia led apprenticeships in STEM related disciplines, need to be accessible, and financially viable for all enterprises.

3.
3.

A new strategic approach to lifelong learning Business growth strategies will need to focus on innovation, digitalisation, strengthening the skill base as well as fostering the transition towards a greener economy, leveraging the opportunities of digital technologies.

To maintain competitiveness and build resilience, businesses need to be continually strengthening these STEM related areas.
Keeping pace with accelerating transformations and trends will be challenging, considering labour shortages and access to talent.

The labour market has become a key constraint for investment and growth.

A tight labour market risks being a major bottleneck for long term growth.

Renewed efforts to attract mobile talent and boost re/up-skilling and lifelong learning opportunities will be essential to increase productivity and achieve sustainable growth.
Ireland’s now urgently needs a coherent and comprehensive lifelong learning strategy, to support business and individuals prepare for the new wave of opportunity.

The National Training Fund must be unlocked to support business to develop their workforces in the new emerging STEM disciplines and technologies.

4.

Collaboration with enterprise to strengthen the STEM education experience Irish businesses and industry are committed to developing a strong pipeline of STEM talent.
The aim is to encourage more Irish girls and boys to enjoy learning STEM and consider potential career opportunities in these fields.

At a company and community level, there are many positive initiatives underway, including the flagship events such BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, ESB Science Blast, I-Wish, Science Week etc, sponsorship of science programmes and fairs, support for third level scholarships, work experience / placement opportunities.
Together, the stakeholders should identify constructive models of best practice and support ways to roll out these initiatives in areas and schools where opportunities are less prevalent.

Conclusion STEM are critical disciplines that must be embedded across the continuum of education.

Digitalisation, technology and evolving scientific development are now a permanent feature of our lives, and each day it presents new skills challenges.
For Ireland, this requires a deeper commitment to lifelong learning for all citizens, including our educators.

The Future of STEM Education is our Future.

Ibec look forward to ongoing productive and extensive engagement with the Oireachtas and key stakeholders in advancing this important agenda.

END For more information, please contact: Claire McGee Head of Education and Innovation Policy, Ibec.

Claire.mcgee@ibec.ie