How Can STEM Education Prepare Students for the Future Job Market?

 


The world is changing. Gone are the days when a high school graduate could simply show up at the front gates of a manufacturing plant and start working. Gone are the days when companies could produce the same products in the same way year after year. Success today belongs to companies that can adapt and to people who possess the skills needed by those companies. Increasingly, those skills are in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) areas.

STEM skills are required for a wide range of high-demand occupations, including engineers, scientists, computer technicians, healthcare workers, welders, chemical process operators, electricians, and many more. As the global economy becomes more complex, the demand for STEM talent continues to rise.

  • STEM jobs grew at 300% the rate of other jobs in the previous decade.
  • Only 16% of college graduates majored in a STEM field.
  • The average salary for a STEM job in the United States is $79,395.

STEM in the Great Lakes Bay Region

The Great Lakes Bay Region is home to several large STEM-aligned employers, with a particularly heavy emphasis on manufacturing and healthcare. Roughly 38% of the region’s economic output comes from these two industries. This long-standing tradition of strength in science and manufacturing gives the Great Lakes Bay Region a head start in the race for STEM excellence. Discovery, innovation, and the practical application of know-how are embedded in the fabric of the region, positioning it as fertile ground for STEM growth and success.

However, the need for STEM talent is evident. Among regional employers, 71% reported difficulty hiring for a STEM job in the last 12 months. Addressing this gap is crucial for ensuring regional prosperity and competitiveness in the years to come.

Creating and training the workforce of tomorrow requires collaboration among employers, educators, and other stakeholders, all dedicated to meeting the needs of the next generation of talent. The Great Lakes Bay STEM Initiative has worked extensively to develop a set of recommendations, a roadmap for implementation, and best practices to build a strong, internationally recognized STEM talent pipeline in the region.

Over the years, this initiative has identified six key requirements of a high-performing STEM region:

  • Responds to employer demand and builds technical skills in STEM fields.
  • Develops students who are career- and college-ready.
  • Builds a culture of STEM and increases access to high-quality Out-of-School Learning experiences.
  • Promotes the region’s robust pipeline of higher education institutions and learning opportunities.
  • Creates an environment that attracts talent.
  • Reduces barriers to high-quality STEM experiences.

From K-12 programming to workforce training and beyond, the Great Lakes Bay STEM talent pipeline is designed from cradle to career, supporting the future workforce. As the outlook for STEM careers in the region through 2026 is significant and growing, this ecosystem design is essential for the region’s success.

Key Work Groups: College and Career Readiness, Employer Talent Pipeline, and Out-of-School Time

College and Career Readiness

The Great Lakes Bay STEM Network collaborates with regional entities to increase interest and performance in math, science, and computer science. One key initiative is the Middle School Math Project, aimed at improving math scores through nationally recognized programs like Bedtime Math, ST Math, and MiSTAR. Professional development for teachers is also a core component, ensuring that educators are equipped with the tools needed to engage students in STEM.

Employer Talent Pipeline

The Employer Talent Pipeline Project focuses on increasing experiential learning opportunities that directly connect students with employers. The Network created a Work-Based Learning Toolkit to help employers, educators, and advisors navigate various learning opportunities like job shadowing, internships, and co-ops. These work-based experiences not only benefit students but also help businesses and the broader community by developing a skilled workforce for the future.

Out-of-School Time

The Out-of-School Time Network supports partnerships that feature dynamic collaborations among out-of-school programs, recognizing that learning can happen inside and outside the classroom. Schools and community organizations across the region, such as the Delta College Planetarium, Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum, and the Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum, offer a range of STEM programs, including FIRST Robotics and You Be The Chemist.

The Out-of-School Time Network is focused on creating college- and career-ready students by developing a culture of STEM and ensuring access to high-quality, hands-on learning experiences. The network's efforts to promote equity have been key in providing STEM opportunities for underserved populations.

Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance and STEM Impact Initiative

The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance plays a pivotal role in advancing STEM education through its STEM Impact Initiative. By connecting students with hands-on learning experiences, the initiative ensures that the region develops the talent necessary for industries like chemical engineering, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare.

Programs such as the STEM Festival provide thousands of students with opportunities to interact with STEM professionals and explore career pathways. The STEM Passport initiative has expanded access to learning experiences at museums and STEM-rich institutions, benefiting over 34,000 students.

Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU)

Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) plays a key role in preparing students for STEM careers. The university’s Mobile STEM Lab brings advanced technologies, such as virtual reality and 3D printing, to schools across the region, ensuring that students have access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities, even in underserved areas.

Through partnerships with companies like Dow and Nexteer Automotive, SVSU offers students hands-on experiences in fields such as robotics and engineering, ensuring they are well-equipped for the demands of today’s STEM-driven economy.

Local Companies Supporting STEM Education

Fullerton Tool, a precision cutting tool manufacturer based in Saginaw, collaborates with schools to offer apprenticeships and internships. By providing students with real-world experience in advanced manufacturing, Fullerton Tool plays a crucial role in developing the region’s future workforce. Their commitment to innovation in cutting tools for industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical devices ensures students gain exposure to high-tech manufacturing environments.

General Motors offers its Foundry in a Box program, which allows students to engage directly with the manufacturing process, creating metal castings and gaining a deeper understanding of the technology used in the automotive industry. Programs like these help ignite interest in STEM careers among students who might not have considered them otherwise.

Dow continues to fund scholarships, mentor students, and sponsor STEM initiatives such as the Dow Great Lakes BayInvitational, which includes an educational component designed to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM fields.

Nexteer Automotive, a global leader in advanced steering and driveline systems, offers co-op programs that give students hands-on experience in robotics, engineering, and manufacturing, ensuring the region continues to develop a STEM workforce capable of thriving in a rapidly evolving industry.

Hemlock Semiconductor also plays a critical role by providing internships and donating equipment to local schools, exposing students to solar energy technologies and advanced materials that are critical to the future of clean energy.

The Future Workforce and Regional Prosperity

The STEM Pipeline Strategy focuses on creating a sustainable workforce by fostering early exposure to STEM, providing hands-on learning, and offering mentorship opportunities. Programs like MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan bring employers and students together through career exploration events, helping students understand the skills needed for high-demand STEM industries.

Through collaboration among employers, educators, and public stakeholders, the Great Lakes Bay Region is shaping a strong, internationally recognized STEM talent pipeline. As the need for STEM talent grows, the region is well-positioned to lead the way in innovation and economic growth.


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