If you are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Maths studying for a STEM-based career is for you. With literally 000’s of different careers on offer this is one of the UK’s fastest growing sectors. There are jobs to suit many different skill sets, from programming to design, from research to medicine, and a huge array of different environments in which to work.
People with maths and science skills are in demand, with opportunities to enter the sector at entry level if you have good GCSE’s in English, maths and a science subject – nearly all businesses will have elements of STEM so you could work across a broad range of industries including those as diverse as medicine, finance, retail, sport and leisure.
Remember not all scientists wear white coats, and many of the jobs on offer will involve working outdoors on practical projects, so you will certainly not be tied to a desk or an office!
STEM-based employers in the South West, include:
- Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station
- Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
- The Met Office
- Babcock International Group
- BD Vacutainer Systems
- Plessey Semiconductors
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory
- Kawasaki Precision Machinery
- A & P Group – Falmouth Docks
- Newquay Airport
- St Austell Brewery
Many local training providers offer a wide range of training and qualifications to support you in gaining the job you want – everything from aeronautical engineering to nursing, to robotics and game development through to forensic science. Visit our Explore Training page where you can access more information on specific providers.
You can enter the sector in a number of ways, including:
- Full-time / part-time college courses/ school leaver
- Apprenticeships including Degree Level Apprenticeships
- Higher National Certificates (HNC)
- Higher National Diplomas (HND)
- Foundation Degree
- Bachelors Degree
With such a breadth of industries there is of course a breadth of jobs and careers on offer. Click on the links below to find out more about these and other STEM-based careers including entry requirements, skills required and how much you could earn!
- Biomedical Scientist
- Forensic Scientist
- Laboratory Technician
- Meteorologist
- Nuclear Engineer
- Psychologist
- Sports Scientist
You can see lots more job roles and their profiles by visiting the National Careers Service site.
Useful Links
Examples of Apprenticeship Standards – STEM
- Engineering Technician
- Electrical Power Network Engineer
- Community Sport & Health Officer
- Dental Technician
- Dental Nurse
- Registered Nurse
- Nuclear Operative
- Marine Engineer
Case Study
Teddy Lovelock is among the first cohort of City College Plymouth students to study for a T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control.
