New Future Workforce and Educational Pathways report examines what is needed to realise chemistry's potential
More chemical scientists are needed if the multi-billion-pound sector is to fulfil its potential to outpace the UK’s wider economic growth and meet national sustainability ambitions, according to our new report.
The Future Workforce and Education Pathways report projects the chemical sciences workforce could exceed growth in the wider UK labour market by 30% (6.5% to 5%). However, there are concerns that the significant financial challenges facing universities threaten the talent pipeline and could impede the country’s ability to meet government objectives.
Thirteen recommendations to put the chemical sciences on the path to growth are included in the report. These include developing and delivering a more relevant curriculum for those aged 5-19; more accessible, inclusive and vocational routes into chemistry; and increasing the number of people entering the sector with relevant practical skills.
Comprehensive changes to education and skills development in the UK make up the bulk of the recommendations detailed in the new report.
WATCH: The Future Workforce and Educational Pathways panel discussions
Mark the launch of the report by joining us for two panel discussions on Thursday, 30 January. Hear from leading experts discuss the future of:
- Education (2pm)
- Policy and skills (4pm)
Both sessions will be broadcast live on our LinkedIn page, are free to watch and viewers do not need to register. Speakers include representatives from education, industry, policy, academia and government, who will look at what the next 10 years could hold for the chemical sciences.
If you are unable to join us live, video of the two sessions will be available to watch on YouTube next week.
Royal Society of Chemistry President Dr Annette Doherty (pictured) said: “Investing in the chemical sciences and taking action to improve the recruitment of students into chemistry courses and vocational pathways, will enable economic growth in the UK and the goal of building a more sustainable future through scientific research in a whole range of sectors.
“Chemistry makes significant contributions to the UK economy, the way in which we interact with our environment, and societal progress; uncertainty around how we will develop the skills needed to meet demand is limiting confidence.
“The research underpinning our Future Workforce and Educational Pathways report shows that the sector continues to offer enormous potential for the decade to come and beyond – but only if we take steps now to meet that future potential.
“Education reform is a must to ensure that young people get the best start to their chemistry journey, and we need more inclusive and accessible routes into the sector so that everyone interested in a career in chemistry feels they can pursue their ambitions, regardless of their background.”
314,000 the total number of people in the UK chemical sciences workforce
1.4 millionthe number of people employed in UK industries based around chemistry
6.5% the projected level of jobs growth in the UK chemical sciences over the next decade
30% the projected rate by which chemistry-related jobs growth will exceed the wider UK labour market
The number of university courses in several science subjects has dropped over the past five years, with the number of undergraduate degrees offered in chemistry dropping by more than a quarter since 2019.
The University of Hull is planning to close its chemistry department, with other institutions facing tough choices against a backdrop of significant financial threats, which risks restricting the supply of highly skilled workers in an area with proven growth potential.
We have already sought to protect the provision of existing higher education chemistry courses across the UK to encourage a diverse array of students to pursue careers in the sector. And in the report, we advocate for expanding the number of vocational routes into the sector.
As well as pushing for more applied education and training, we want to see digital and sustainability skills emphasised in the chemistry curriculum, to prepare students for the demands of modern STEM roles. Research conducted for the report shows that chemistry-related jobs are eight times more likely to ask for green skills than the national average.
Dr Alexander Reip (pictured) is Chief Technical Officer and co-founder of Oxford nanoSystems and a Royal Society of Chemistry trustee. Headquartered in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, the company develops high performance coatings to improve energy conversion and transfer, technologies that are crucial to the transition to cleaner, renewable energy systems, such as hydrogen electrolysers, that can lower the UK’s carbon footprint.
He said: "My own career as a chemistry entrepreneur has taken me from academia to industry, showing me first-hand how critical it is to equip students with the skills needed to tackle global challenges.
"As a nation, we can’t underestimate the importance of investing in these opportunities, whether it’s addressing climate change, securing sustainable food supplies, or enabling breakthroughs in advanced manufacturing. Chemistry is at the heart of these solutions, and we need a trained workforce ready to deliver them and ensure we remain competitive on the global stage."
Dr Camilla d’Angelo, Policy Manager, Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), added: “CaSE believes that attracting and developing skills and a diverse workforce across all of R&D is essential to support a thriving sector. We welcome the Royal Society of Chemistry’s detailed look at the skills requirements of the chemical sciences workforce.
“This report shows that an integrated approach to skills is needed to support a thriving chemical sciences sector, something that CaSE has previously called for to support all of R&D in our 2023 report, The Skills Opportunity.
"We are pleased to see recommendations that align with those of CaSE, including around supporting diverse education and skills pathways, industry engagement on skills development, and supporting the existing workforce through upskilling and lifelong learning.”
Our report emphasises the need for wider access to chemical science careers, particularly for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, to build a more diverse and skilled workforce, ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Technological advancements, such as AI and machine learning, are already impacting both workers and employers and this is expected to continue as the digital revolution accelerates. Greater collaboration between academia and industry is needed to ensure that those entering the workforce are equipped for the challenges, according to the authors.
This report adds to the body of evidence that shows how important science is to the prosperity of both the UK and individual lives. A career in science can transform the prospects of younger people from underprivileged backgrounds, which is why it’s so important that education and training are made accessible to all. Government, educators, employers and professional bodies must work collectively to make that a reality across the country.
While the report notes some differences, it found that both businesses and universities believe many university graduates currently lack the key transferable skills they need when entering the workplace.
The burden of training and development should not fall solely on employers and universities, which is why we are also calling for extensive educational reform, starting at an early age for all UK children. The report also advocates changes to continuous professional development to ensure workers have the skills to maintain the UK’s position as a global science leader.
Production of the report saw us partner with labour force analytics firm Lightcast to explore data trends affecting the industry, conduct interviews, and work on research with individuals from across the country’s chemical sciences sector to build a picture of life as a chemical scientist today.
Dr Doherty added: “The level of change needed isn’t something any one group can change in isolation; achieving job growth that outpaces the rest of the UK economy will require a concerted push by all stakeholder groups, right the way from national and devolved governments down to individual schools, universities and businesses. Implementing the 13 recommendations in the report would give us a great chance of realising chemistry’s potential.”
Learn more about our Future Workforce and Educational Pathways research
- Read and download the full report.
- Visit our dedicated landing page.
- Explore the data in this interim report from labour data analytics firm Lightcast.
Contact us
- Email:
- The Policy and Evidence Team
Press office
- Tel:
- +44 (0) 20 7440 3351
- Email:
- Send us an email