Is the future pipeline of education technology developers in jeopardy?

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths pipeline from school to Higher Education to industry is currently considered broken. Next generation education technology developers like any other technology led industry is dependent on STEM talent pipeline. It is currently estimated that 52,000 IT jobs are unfilled, and 94% of technology employers reporting skills shortage. Volume of vacancies growing each quarter. Estimated that R&D sector needs an additional 150,000 scientific researchers and technicians by 2030 to ensure economic growth and UK country development. In the long term will place a squeeze on education technology developers and technology educators’ talent pool, as other sectors offer greater financial rewards and benefits to fulfil their skill shortages. In addition, UK equality act 2010, 2018 amendment requires education providers to ensure all technology adopted meets the accessibility regulations. It is known diverse teams provide fresh perspectives, greater innovations and inclusive designed solutions. COVID19 highlighted the digital divide between socioeconomic, town and country populations access to digital technology, that is rural and low socioeconomic disparity in access to technology and the internet. Therefore, the STEM needs more diverse STEM workforce to provide multiple perspectives, to address the education digital technology divide and reduce the digital skills gap of the future industry talent.