More than three in five (61%) people believe they do not have the right academic qualifications to pursue a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), with the cost of training found to be a major barrier to the industry.
A report that questioned more than14,000 job seekers and students, released by IBM, revealed major misconceptions around pursuing a career in STEM, with the majority of respondents unclear about opportunities and training available.
The research found that 61% of students and those looking towards a career change are actively aiming to secure a new job over the next 12 months, although more than half of those are unfamiliar with the STEM landscape and of what is considered to be a STEM role.
A lack of female representation has also been highlighted as a pressing issue for the industry, with women making up just 26% of the current tech workforce, according to Tech Nation.