Women’s Enrollment in STEM Education: Key to Bridging the Skills Gap in India

Today, India is ready to become the digital talent hub, yet we are still staring at the increasing skill gap issue. The skills gap in India is a burning issue that doesn’t seem to take a halt. In fact, it has become a well-established reality. And pulling women out of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education will only widen this pressing concern.

In India, the positioning of women in STEM has improved over the years, however, there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done, especially in STEM education, where the struggle is still real. And as we step into the next phase of growth, the need to innovate, ideate, and create increases. But is it possible to achieve sustainable outcomes without gender diversity?

A workplace with equal participation of both men and women will not only broaden the scope for innovation and creativity but will also enhance the productivity and performance of an organization. But STEM education is the first step to closing both the skills gap and the gender divide.

A recent report by NLB Services and NTT DATA, ‘Bridging the Skills Gap – Towards an Equal Workplace’ highlights that approximately 4 Mn female online learners have enrolled in STEM courses and 57% of these women are confident enough to land a decent job after completing the course. Shedding light on the skill gap, the report underlines that 54% of employers believe that STEM education will reduce the skill gap to a great measure.

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With STEM skills and certifications, women can unlock multiple opportunities. And fortunately, women have started to understand the relevance and significance of STEM education in enhancing their footing in STEM careers. Women are rapidly indulging themselves in STEM courses with an aim to acquire technical skills that can not only help them grow in their careers but also prepare them for leadership positions. The areas of Computer Programming, Web Development, Analytics, AI & ML, Cybersecurity, and User Experience (UX) Design are some of the most preferred domains by women, according to the report.

The report suggests that 55% of women are enrolling in STEM to acquire additional skills demanded by today’s jobs whereas 26% are enrolling for career progression. The other 16% are enrolling in STEM to prepare for their dream job. This clearly shows how STEM education plays a crucial role in eliminating the skills gap in India. And constant efforts to increase women’s enrollment in STEM education can put an end to the gap to a great extent.

Solidifying women’s enrollment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields is not just a social concern but a larger and more important problem that’s crucial to bring forward the technological transformation successfully. Bridging the gender gap to create an equitable workplace requires coordinated efforts from the government, academia, and industry. A gender-receptive strategy is much-needed to foster greater participation of girls in STEM education, expanding India’s capability to innovate and grow.

Another important aspect we can’t afford to ignore here is the significance of upskilling/reskilling women in eliminating the skills gap. Technology will never stop evolving. But enhancing the skills of the workforce will narrow down the gap. But the better question is—what’s the approach to eliminate the skill gap while building an equitable workforce?

By investing in upskilling/reskilling programs for women, we are moving a step further to generate a more sustainable yet equitable workplace with diverse skill sets. Not to mention, upskilling programs help gain niche skills that can enable individuals to further accelerate their growth process while discovering their interest areas. Therefore, upskilling a diverse workforce is the only solution to put a stop to the skills gap. The aim should be to redesign the skilling programs that can be shaped to accommodate a diverse workforce.

Women’s representation in STEM careers still has a long way to go. Simply communicating the idea of skilling and educating women in STEM won’t do the work. But there’s no doubt that the growth rate and the awareness to educate women in STEM have been witnessing immense growth. Change comes from constant hard work.

(The article first appeared in NASSCOM Insights)

Sachin Alug

Chief Executive Officer