Shortage of skills in science, tech, engineering and maths to be probed by MPs

The Science and Technology Committee said it has opened an inquiry into the issue after the problem was flagged in other recent inquiries it held.

The Committee has called on businesses and other organisations to share the measures they have taken to "close the STEM skills gap", such as putting in place apprenticeship schemes, or entering into business-university collaborations. Written evidence can be submitted up until 13 January 2017.

The Committee said it wants to hear which STEM skills organisations were looking for but which were "found to be in short supply or missing", as well as "specific details of the measures [they] introduced" to address the skills shortage.

Information to share might include whether measures were "focused on developing generic skills (such as management), sector-specific skills or raising awareness, how they have been implemented and delivered, and how many people have taken/are currently taking part", the Committee said.

Organisations should also outline what the cost of the measures introduced were and how they have been funded, as well as "the results of any evaluation of the measures / schemes introduced", it said.

The Committee said it also wants to hear from "people who have participated in skills programmes" to "learn more about their experiences, both positive and negative".