By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat As the world faces a skilled workforce gap, the fifth annual STEM survey by Emerson found that 91 percent of Filipino respondents are interested in pursuing STEM careers and most (80%) have felt encouraged to do so. A majority of Filipino respondents believe STEM careers are technology driven and the number of jobs in the field will only continue to grow in the next decade. While the survey found that younger generations across the globe are three times more likely to be encouraged to pursue STEM careers than generations before them, there are still several critical gaps to address – particularly as industries continue to report that they cannot find individuals with the skills required for today’s advanced workplaces. For example, a recent study conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment found that about 3 out of 10 young job applicants still require further training to become employable. “As automation and technology become truly ingrained in our workplaces and schools, there’s a growing urgency to prepare the workforce with STEM skills that will be critical to the continued strength of the global economy,” said David N. Farr, chairman and chief executive officer for Emerson. “We want to lead the charge in making strategic investments that will provide both the current and future workforce with the right skillsets to succeed in one of the many tremendous careers made available through STEM – from software development to new technologies in manufacturing.” To keep up with the rapid pace of change, workers are increasingly looking to their employers to address these upskilling needs: 94% of Filipino respondents said they believe companies should do more to train and prepare their STEM workforce. The growing emphasis in boosting STEM education is little surprise, as almost all Filipinos (99%) say they consider STEM education vital to the country’s future. Despite a universal understanding of the importance of STEM, less than half of people surveyed believe their country is ahead in STEM innovation, including only 42% of Filipinos. Filipino respondents recognize the importance of education and higher degrees for working in STEM. Most Filipinos (82%) say they have a good understanding of the types of jobs available in STEM fields, and out of all subject matters, 55% of respondents were most interested in pursuing a STEM track for college. Respondents also listed their parents as the biggest influence on their college education choices, and 98% of parents said they are likely to advise their child to choose a STEM track for college. “Supporting and empowering the next generation of Filipino professionals to enter STEM-related fields is a crucial part of our mission at Emerson,” said Ed Boone, president of Emerson Asia Pacific and vice president and general manager of Emerson Philippines. “We have long been dedicated to solving the growing skills deficit in the country through a variety of award-winning STEM initiatives, including our Innovation Challenge, which puts students to the test in solving some of the community’s most pressing issues through innovation.” Emerson is helping to address this skills gap issue for people of all ages through its “We Love STEM” initiatives, partnerships with more than 350 universities and technical colleges worldwide, and investments in employee training.