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Three Talent Trends That Will Shape STEM In 2023

Forbes Human Resources Council

Hugo Malan is President of Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom, a business unit of Kelly.

STEM professionals shape the world we live in as they drive advances in artificial intelligence, medical treatments, autonomous vehicles and so much more. The sector is constantly evolving and growing; the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be 821,300 new openings for STEM jobs over the next decade. But ultimately, it’s dependent on the people who power it.

Access to great talent is critical to success in every STEM field, and organizations are looking to the future wondering what workforce trends will impact how they connect with candidates. It's little wonder that business leaders feel unsure about what’s to come. It’s been a turbulent few years, with fiercely competitive talent markets, a global pandemic, uncertain economic conditions and a growing focus on social justice issues. What will 2023 have in store for employers looking to recruit STEM talent?

I may not have a crystal ball, but there are some key workforce trends I believe will crystallize in 2023. The businesses that are ahead of these trends will be better placed to access the STEM talent they need next year and beyond.

1. Job hopping will slow as employees seek stability.

The Great Resignation. Job hopping. The Big Quit. Whatever you call it, the post-pandemic period saw large numbers of workers pursuing new opportunities. Candidate scarcity, combined with a booming global market and an increased focus on meaningful work, fueled a revolving door of talent. However, economic uncertainty looks set to pump the brakes on a fast-moving candidate market.

Olu Sonola, head of U.S. Regional Economics at Fitch Ratings, predicts rising unemployment, pointing to factors like high inflation and the country heading toward a recession. It's anticipated that the unemployment rate will reach 4.7% by the end of 2023, then peak at 5.3% in 2024. So increasing unemployment numbers combined with slowing economic growth may see many STEM workers choosing to stay put—and stay stable.

2. Returns to the office will ramp up as the focus on productivity increases.

The pandemic accelerated the rise of flexible and remote work, but it appears the tide may be turning—despite worker preference for remote roles. LinkedIn’s October 2022 Global Talent Trends report revealed that remote roles fell to 14% of all job postings in September, from an all-time high of 20%, but attracted 52% of all U.S. applicants.

In a more uncertain economic climate, organizations that feel in-office work is the best way to monitor productivity may have more sway to demand it. However, STEM organizations seeking in-demand skills should tread with caution. A report by HR platform Eden found that 63% of tech employees say the option to work remotely is very important, so much so that not having the ability would be a deal breaker.

Ultimately, approaching working styles with flexibility, nuance and a true understanding of productivity will see businesses win more than their fair share of talent.

3. Women will reclaim a good share of STEM jobs.

I believe we will see more women (re)entering STEM fields in 2023, reclaiming a good share of the jobs they lost during the pandemic. This will be particularly true for fields like the life sciences, where women graduate at higher rates than men.

Women disproportionately exited the workforce during Covid lockdowns as, more so than men, they assumed the role of stay-at-home caregivers. But with the introduction of more flexible work arrangements, which make it easier for all employees to manage both family and career, women now face a job market generally more receptive to balanced life-work design. So STEM organizations have an opportunity to tap into an immense talent pool if they think carefully about the ways they can support working caregivers going forward.

It looks like 2023 is going to bring its own share of complex challenges, but STEM organizations can capitalize on upcoming trends. With greater workforce stability comes the chance to focus on upskilling, internal mobility and creating a connected and supportive workforce culture. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the values that underpin a company’s talent approach and how they inform evolving policies and processes. One thing is for certain: STEM won’t stand still in 2023, and neither should your workforce strategy.


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