Research suggests lack of workers with skills in science, maths, engineering and technology due low wages

Research conducted by Dr Thijs van Rens indicates that low wages are to blame for the lack of workers with science, maths, engineering and technology (STEM) skills and ‘soft’ communications skills, and not problems with the education system.

The findings suggest that low wages are to blame for the STEM skills gap and that wages must reflect the supply and demand for skills across occupations and the reform of schools and universities isn’t the answer.

Dr Thijs van Rens said:

It is often taken for granted that the skills gap and skills mismatch is a supply problem and appropriate training is not available to workers. However US data shows that market wages do not reflect the relative demand for different types of skills.

Businesses complain about the lack of workers with STEM skills but are unwilling to raise wages for these workers – or reduce wages for workers with skills that are less in demand.”

Read the full article; "Low wages not education to blame for skills gap"