Hays in Greater China reported companies are still struggling with a shortage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, also known as STEM skills. But more can be done, according to the global recruitment firm.

Simon Lance, managing director of Hays in Greater China, identified three areas that, if improved, could help the fight against skills shortages:

Schools must teach the core skills earlier

“Engaging schoolchildren by the time they are at secondary school is too late,” Lance said. “By this age children are already choosing elective subjects and they might already have a strong idea of what it is that they want to do careerwise. However, if children were informed earlier of the many careers available to them and which ones are likely to provide more job security and higher wages, it could make a difference.”

Businesses are failing to engage parents

“Not only do children need to be educated on what jobs can result from STEM subjects, parents do too. Engineering is such a broad term. Children, parents and teachers should be told about the various career paths open to them and what those roles entail,” he said. “This really needs to be a joint effort from everyone: teachers to inspire and educate, businesses and industry to engage with schools, and the government to keep pushing STEM subjects onto the school curriculum.”

Planning for the future

“Forward planning is essential,” Lance said. “Contractors can provide a short-term solution on a project-by-project basis. Businesses should also be looking at their current workforce and see if there are potential employees to upskill.”