Closing the STEM skills gap: what will it take?

Behind every major infrastructure project are people with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills. But right now, the UK is facing a shortfall of more than 173,000 STEM workers – a gap already being felt across the infrastructure sector. Nearly half of engineering and technology businesses are struggling to recruit, with the shortage estimated to cost the UK economy around £1.5 billion each year.

In this episode, host Toby Sadler is joined by Paul Cox (CEO, Energy & Utility Skills), Steph O’Donnell (HR Strategic Workforce Planning Manager, SSEN Transmission) and Karen Armstrong-Telfer (Nuclear Practice Lead, Energy and Environment, AECOM) to explore what it will take to close the gap – and how the sector can attract, develop and retain the talent it needs to deliver on its ambitions.

The government’s 10-year Infrastructure Strategy is doubling down on clean energy and major infrastructure investment, including a £17.8 billion commitment to new nuclear energy projects, alongside wider plans for offshore wind, grid upgrades and transport. But none of this is possible without a skilled workforce.

Focusing on the energy sector but with insights that resonate broadly, the conversation spans everything from building inclusive cultures and improving talent mobility to shifting outdated perceptions of STEM roles and ensuring workplace experiences live up to expectations.

Speaker profiles

Paul Cox

Group Chief Executive Officer at Energy & Utility Skills

Experience/background

An experienced CEO, strategic leader and Fellow of the Institute of Leadership (FIoL), Paul has a proven track record in delivering growth, influencing policy and leading skills transformation in regulated sectors across a number of roles.

Paul has held several senior leadership roles in the further education and skills sector since 2009, including the position of Chief Executive, Accounting Officer and Board Member for Eastleigh College and University Centre.

More recently, as Director of Skills at Serco, Paul led initiatives to enhance the UK’s skills landscape, significantly improving apprenticeship achievement rates, and working closely with policymakers in key devolved regions to increase access to inclusive, accessible and award-winning skills development opportunities. Paul is also a qualified teacher, bringing deep expertise in education and workforce development.

Why you’re excited to join TI podcast and why is this subject important to you?

With unprecedented investment in infrastructure, energy and the environment, we have a chance to shape a workforce that delivers national growth and local impact. Skills are now recognised as a top C-suite priority, and rightly so.

For me, this is about how systems, collaboration and industry can create a workforce to unlock potential, expand opportunity and create meaningful careers for people of all backgrounds.

It is this workforce that will ensure the energy, water and waste sectors remain vital pillars of the UK economy – delivering essential infrastructure, enhancing natural habitats and economic growth. The choices we make now can drive long-term resilience, productivity and prosperity across the UK. That’s why this conversation, and this moment, matters so much.

Steph O’Donnell

HR Strategic Workforce Planning Manager, SSEN Transmission

Experience/background

Steph has worked in the energy industry for the past 18 years, holding a variety of roles across HR, learning and talent, and early careers. She currently leads the strategic workforce planning and early careers team within SSEN Transmission.

Her role focuses on ensuring the business has the right people in the right roles and at the right time, while also maintaining a strong pipeline of early careers talent through dedicated programmes.

Why you’re excited to join TI podcast and why is this subject important to you?

I have worked in early careers and other areas of HR for the last 18 years and it’s a personal passion of mine to ensure we are inspiring the talent of the future and attracting the next generation into such an exciting and growing industry.

Karen Armstrong-Telfer

Nuclear Practice Lead UK&I, Energy and Environment, AECOM

Experience/background

As AECOM’s Nuclear Practice Lead in the UK, Karen heads up a nuclear practice team of over 100 engineers and specialists supporting our clients in delivering innovative projects, safely and on time.

With nearly 25 years’ experience in the nuclear sector, Karen has worked across plant operations, design and build for both new build and decommissioning, supporting a range of clients including Sellafield, EDF and Urenco. Karen is also a chartered chemical engineer.

Why you’re excited to join TI podcast and why is this subject important to you?

I’m excited to join the podcast because we must address the skills gap in the nuclear industry now to be able to deliver the energy and security resilience required for the UK.

The government has pledged significant funding to ‘new nuclear energy,’ but due to the skills gap in the industry, we will be unable to safely deliver these large infrastructure projects while remaining focused on the legacy of the past.

I am looking forward to collaborating with Steph and Phil on the podcast, hearing about their experiences, and discussing how we can collectively address the skills needed for the future of energy in the UK.