- Chemistry-related job market is expected to grow by 6.5% over the next decade, 30% more than the wider UK labour market
- But questions arise over skills pipeline, with universities’ funding challenges already impacting chemistry course availability
- While businesses and universities agree many university graduates currently lack the transferable skills needed in the workplace
The RSC’s Future Workforce and Education Pathways report projects the chemical sciences workforce could exceed growth in the wider UK labour market by 30% (6.5% to 5%). However, there are concerns that the significant financial challenges facing universities threatens the talent pipeline and could impede the country’s ability to meet government objectives.
The learned society has now brought forward 13 recommendations to put the chemical sciences on the path to growth, including developing and delivering a more relevant curriculum for those aged 5-19; more accessible, inclusive and vocational routes into chemistry; and increasing the number of people entering the sector with relevant practical skills.
Comprehensive changes to education and skills development in the UK make up the bulk of the 13 recommendations detailed in the new report, released on 30 January, with expert panel discussions taking place later the same day.
Dr Annette Doherty, President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “Investing in the chemical sciences and taking action to improve the recruitment of students into chemistry courses and vocational pathways, will enable economic growth in the UK and the goal of building a more sustainable future through scientific research in a whole range of sectors.
“Chemistry makes significant contributions to the UK economy, the way in which we interact with our environment, and societal progress; uncertainty around how we will develop the skills needed to meet demand is limiting confidence.
“The research underpinning our Future Workforce and Educational Pathways report shows that the sector continues to offer enormous potential for the decade to come and beyond – but only if we take steps now to meet that future potential.
“Education reform is a must to ensure that young people get the best start to their chemistry journey, and we need more inclusive and accessible routes into the sector so that everyone interested in a career in chemistry feels they can pursue their ambitions, regardless of their background.”
The number of university courses in several science subjects has dropped over the past five years, with the number of undergraduate degrees offered in chemistry dropping by more than a quarter since 2019. The University of Hull is planning to close its chemistry department, with other institutions facing tough choices against a backdrop of significant financial threats, which risks restricting the supply of highly skilled workers in an area with proven growth potential.
The RSC has already sought to protect the provision of existing higher education chemistry courses across the UK to encourage a diverse array of students to pursue careers in the sector. And in the report, the organisation says it also wants to see the number of vocational routes into the sector expanded.
As well as pushing for more applied education and training, the body wants digital and sustainability skills to be emphasised in the chemistry curriculum, to prepare students for the demands of modern STEM roles. Research conducted for the report shows that chemistry-related jobs are eight times more likely to ask for green skills than the national average.
Dr Alexander Reip is Chief Technical Officer and co-founder of Oxford nanoSystems and a Royal Society of Chemistry trustee. Headquartered in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, the company develops high performance coatings to improve energy conversion and transfer, technologies that are crucial to the transition to cleaner, renewable energy systems, such as hydrogen electrolysers, that can lower the UK’s carbon footprint.
He said: "My own career as a chemistry entrepreneur has taken me from academia to industry, showing me first-hand how critical it is to equip students with the skills needed to tackle global challenges.
"As a nation, we can’t underestimate the importance of investing in these opportunities, whether it’s addressing climate change, securing sustainable food supplies, or enabling breakthroughs in advanced manufacturing. Chemistry is at the heart of these solutions, and we need a trained workforce ready to deliver them and ensure we remain competitive on the global stage."
Dr Camilla d’Angelo, Policy Manager, Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), added: “CaSE believes that attracting and developing skills and a diverse workforce across all of R&D is essential to support a thriving sector. We welcome the Royal Society of Chemistry’s detailed look at the skills requirements of the chemical sciences workforce.
“This report shows that an integrated approach to skills is needed to support a thriving chemical sciences sector, something that CaSE has previously called for to support all of R&D in our 2023 report, The Skills Opportunity. We are pleased to see recommendations that align with those of CaSE, including around supporting diverse education and skills pathways, industry engagement on skills development, and supporting the existing workforce through upskilling and lifelong learning.”
The RSC will also host two online sessions on 30 January, focusing on education (2pm) and skills & policy (4pm) respectively, which will be streamed live on their LinkedIn page. Prominent figures from industry, academia, government and education will be among the guest speakers discussing the challenges and opportunities facing the chemical sciences sector.
The RSC’s report emphasises the need for wider access to chemical science careers, particularly for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, to build a more diverse and skilled workforce, ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Technological advancements, such as AI and machine learning, are already impacting both workers and employers and this is expected to continue as the digital revolution accelerates. Greater collaboration between academia and industry is needed to ensure that those entering the workforce are equipped for the challenges, according to the authors.
While the report notes some differences, it found that both businesses and universities believe many university graduates currently lack the key transferable skills they need entering the workplace.
The burden of training and development should not fall solely on employers and universities, with the learned society also calling for extensive educational reform, starting at an early age for all UK children. It advocates changes to continuous professional development to ensure workers have the skills to maintain the UK’s position as a global science leader.
Production of the report saw the RSC partner with labour force analytics firm Lightcast to explore data trends affecting the industry. The UK-headquartered learned society, which has more than 60,000 members globally, also conducted interviews and research with individuals from across the country’s chemical sciences sector to build a picture of life as a chemical scientist today.
Professor Della Freeth, Science Council chief executive, added: “This report adds to the body of evidence that shows how important science is to the prosperity of both the UK and individual lives.
“A career in science can transform the prospects of younger people from underprivileged backgrounds, which is why it’s so important that education and training are made accessible to all. Government, educators, employers and professional bodies must work collectively to make that a reality across the country.”
Dr Doherty added: “The level of change needed isn’t something any one group can change in isolation; achieving job growth that outpaces the rest of the UK economy will require a concerted push by all stakeholder groups, right the way from national and devolved governments down to individual schools, universities and businesses. Implementing the 13 recommendations in the report would give us a great chance of realising chemistry’s potential.”
