STEM for the 21st Century: Building a Stronger Workforce for the Digital Age
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31980/mosharafa.v12i4.1199Keywords:
Era digital, Pertumbuhan ekonomi, Inovasi, Pendidikan STEM, Pengembangan tenaga kerja, Digital age, Economic growth, Innovation, STEM education, Workforce developmentAbstract
Di abad ke-21, pendidikan Sains, Teknologi, Teknik, dan Matematika (STEM) memainkan peran penting dalam membangun tenaga kerja yang kuat untuk era digital. Bidang STEM sangat penting untuk inovasi, pertumbuhan ekonomi, dan daya saing global. Namun, ada kekurangan tenaga profesional terampil di bidang STEM, yang merupakan tantangan besar bagi bisnis dan industri. Era digital telah mengantarkan teknologi baru dan tuntutan akan pekerja terampil dengan pengetahuan dan keahlian mutakhir. Oleh karena itu, sangat penting untuk mempromosikan pendidikan STEM dan mendorong siswa untuk mengejar karir STEM. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif yang melibatkan empat dosen dengan teknik pengumpulan data secara wawancara. Hasil penelitian dapat dicapai dengan menyediakan pendidikan STEM berkualitas tinggi, menyempurnakan kurikulum, melibatkan siswa dalam kegiatan pembelajaran langsung, dan mengembangkan kemitraan antara industri dan akademisi. Kesimpulannya, berinvestasi dalam pendidikan STEM sangat penting untuk membangun tenaga kerja yang lebih kuat di era digital dan memastikan bahwa individu dan komunitas berkembang dalam ekonomi abad ke-21. Implikasi dari penelitian ini menyoroti meningkatnya permintaan akan tenaga kerja STEM yang kuat di era digital, menekankan kebutuhan untuk memprioritaskan prakarsa pendidikan dan pelatihan STEM. Pembuat kebijakan harus mengalokasikan sumber daya untuk meningkatkan kurikulum STEM, mempromosikan pengalaman belajar langsung, dan mendorong kolaborasi antara lembaga pendidikan dan mitra industri. Selain itu, pendidik harus fokus pada pengembangan keterampilan berpikir kritis, pemecahan masalah, dan literasi digital di kalangan siswa untuk mempersiapkan mereka menghadapi pasar kerja yang berkembang. Perusahaan harus berpartisipasi aktif dalam membentuk program pendidikan STEM, menyediakan magang, dan peluang bimbingan untuk menjembatani kesenjangan keterampilan dan menumbuhkan tenaga kerja yang sangat terampil. Penelitian mungkin mengandalkan ukuran sampel yang terbatas atau wilayah geografis tertentu, yang dapat mempengaruhi generalisasi temuan. Selain itu, fokus studi pada tenaga kerja era digital mungkin mengabaikan sektor penting lainnya atau kemajuan teknologi di masa depan. Selain itu, penelitian tidak mempertimbangkan pengaruh perbedaan budaya, sosial ekonomi, dan gender pada pendidikan STEM dan pengembangan tenaga kerja. Studi masa depan harus bertujuan untuk mengatasi keterbatasan.
In the 21st century, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education is critical in building a strong workforce for the digital age. The STEM field is crucial to innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness. However, a shortage of skilled professionals in the STEM field is a massive challenge for business and industry. The digital era has ushered in new technologies and demands for skilled workers with up-to-date knowledge and expertise. Therefore, promoting STEM education and encouraging students to pursue STEM careers is imperative. This study used a qualitative method involving four lecturers with interview data collection techniques. Research outcomes can be achieved by providing high-quality STEM education, enhancing curricula, engaging students in hands-on learning activities, and developing partnerships between industry and academia. In conclusion, investing in STEM education is critical to building a more robust workforce in the digital age and ensuring that individuals and communities thrive in the 21st-century economy. The implications of this research highlight the growing demand for a strong STEM workforce in the digital age, emphasizing the need to prioritize STEM education and training initiatives. Policymakers should allocate resources to improve STEM curricula, promote hands-on learning experiences, and encourage collaboration between educational institutions and industry partners. In addition, educators should focus on developing critical thinking, problem-solving and digital literacy skills among students to prepare them for the evolving job market. Companies should actively participate in establishing STEM education programs, providing internships and mentorship opportunities to bridge skills gaps and cultivate a highly skilled workforce. Studies may rely on limited sample sizes or specific geographic areas, which can affect the generalizability of the findings. In addition, the focus of studies on the digital age workforce may need to pay more attention to other essential sectors or future technological advances. In addition, the research does not consider the influence of cultural, socioeconomic, and gender differences on STEM education and workforce development. Future studies should aim to overcome the limitations.
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