Eluned Morgan admitted that Wales could be “left behind” if it did not encourage more girls into STEM subjects and into careers in engineering and technology, and that she was determined to turn the situation around.
She said only 12 per cent of women study STEM subjects in Welsh universities, and that the most recent figures – from 2016 – showed that only 20 per cent of Welsh women science graduates pursued careers in STEM subject areas compared to 44 per cent of men.
“The lack of women in STEM professions matters for their individual life chances,” she told an event at Valero Pembroke Refinery, which is trying to attract more women into the industry. “They risk missing out on many well-paid and rewarding jobs.
“More broadly, however, it limits the talent available to our science base and to businesses in Wales and has the potential to constrain our wider economic prosperity and social well-being. Put simply, if this continues Wales will be left behind.
“In the Welsh government, we’ve already looked at the programmes we fund and our policies to make sure that girls, in particular, are aware of what they can achieve through these subjects and the many fantastic jobs that are out there.
“We also need to encourage a new way of thinking in relation to these subjects and for people to understand how engineering touches almost every aspect of our lives.”
Ms Morgan stated that the issue was one for the UK overall, adding that “the days when engineering and technology was all about oily rags are long gone”.
She added: “I am determined that we (in Wales) will turn this situation around but in order to do that we need a concerted, all-Wales effort from schools, industry, employers and the Welsh government.
“Over the next few months, I’ll be setting out what steps we’ll be taking.”