Quarter of young people still see STEM jobs as more suitable for boys

A quarter of young people still believe STEM – science, tech, engineering or maths – jobs are more suitable for boys. A poll of 1,000 10 to 14-year-olds found just one% selected them as ‘girls’ jobs. It also found 40% of girls never attend coding clubs, but 75% would consider a job in science, tech, engineering or mathematics.

Girls are also slightly more likely to want a career they love compared to boys (60% vs 56%). But boys were more interested in the money potential of a career (49% vs 43%). The research was commissioned by Jaguar Land Rover, which has launched ‘Create Possible’, a free online education platform.

Schools Engagement Lead for the carmaker, Morgan Gore, said: “Teachers face real pressures in preparing students for a fast-changing world.

“Through the launch of Create Possible, JLR is making a vital investment in future talent – helping address the UK’s STEM skills gap and secure the next generation of innovators.”

The research went on to find 36% of young people polled never take part in an after-school coding club. But 23% think a career in STEM would be ‘less sociable’ or ‘less fun’ than being a social media influencer or athlete.

Create Possible offers curriculum-aligned lesson plans, interactive activities, and Q&A videos with JLR employees, designed to support teachers and help students identify their strengths, boost motivation, and improve academic outcomes.

Its launch responds to growing concerns about the UK’s STEM pipeline, with recent Parliamentary research highlighting that demand for STEM skills continues to outpace supply across key sectors such as engineering, digital, and manufacturing.

The report warns that without targeted interventions, the UK risks falling short of the workforce needed to drive innovation and economic growth.

Lorna Trout, Head of Design Technology at Oakley School in Warwickshire, said: “Supporting the school’s Design Technology curriculum, Create Possible provides our students early access to real-world career insights, far beyond the traditional classroom experience.

“Through hands-on experiences and exposure to industry pathways, it’s encouraging them to explore future possibilities, make informed decisions, and grow in confidence.”