A Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) focus in education is expected to help bridge the skills gap for professionals, according to local STEM advocates in the Philippines.
“Educators and employers need to focus on the connection of STEM education to careers that focus on solving real-world problems with technical skills,” Kelli List-Wells, founder of STEM Leadership Alliance said at the 3rd Integrated STEM Leadership Summit.
The Department of Labor and Employment estimates a shortage of 800,000 to 1 million skilled workers in engineering architecture construction.
The labour crisis can be addressed with the help of STEM-related educational offerings which will develop tomorrow’s workforce equipped for this evolving job market, according to a Makati Business Club study.
George F. Westerman, founder of the Global Opportunity Initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), said employers and educators should use technology to complement skills development.
“Educators can change their approaches to build next-level skills in order to bridge the gap from community college to advanced manufacturing workforce opportunities,” Westerman said at the summit.
