Dive Brief:

• A new report by professional services firm STEMconnector defines a successful result for talent development in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields as the emergence of: "a diverse and STEM-ready talent pool with the knowledge, skills, and mindsets needed to secure and succeed in careers today and in the future."
• The report, Input to Impact: A Framework for Measuring Success Across the STEM Ecosystem, aims to help employers assess the impact of their STEM talent development efforts and improve return on investment from future initiatives, STEMconnector said in a press release.
• STEMconnector said the report is a follow-up to its 2018 report in which it identified that "nuanced gaps" exist in STEM talent. Determining return on investment is "mission-critical," the company said, due to projections by that STEM jobs could go unfilled over the next decade.

Dive Insight:

Besides the lack of talent in STEM generally, employers have also had to address the issue of diverse representation in STEM careers for women and minorities. Gender parity has long been an issue in these fields, and some observers argue that parity will never be reached without the direct intervention of employers.

This has led to calls to rebrand STEM careers. Recruiting practices that give the impression to minority and female candidates — including those with exemplary credentials — that they are unwelcome could end up driving such candidates away from either certain employers are entire career fields over time, experts have noted. The push to reach diverse candidates has taken the form of scholarship programs among other initiatives. Though HR and employers might avoid targeting more diverse candidates without also prioritizing the creation of a culture that will welcome them and support their viewpoints.