STEAMcat plan

The STEAMcat Plan is an initiative ('regional STEM strategy') of the Catalan Government that responds to the current shortages / labour market demands in specific sectors related to science and technology. The plan seeks to promote STEM among young people, especially girls, groups at risk of social exclusion and with a low socio-economic background. The STEAMcat Plan was developed by a working group made up of representatives of the Department of Education (coordinator) the Department of the Presidency (Secretariat for Telecommunications, Cybersecurity and the Digital Society), the Department of Business and Knowledge and each of the Catalan universities. The plan was officially presented on May 31, 2017 by the heads of the aforementioned ministries.

The STEAMcat Plan was officially updated / relaunched in 2019 by three Catalan ministries. It includes an in-depth quantitative assessment of the current state of affairs related to STEM in Catalonia. The main objectives of the STEMcat Plan are:

• Increase the number of graduates in STEM studies, both in training professional as in university studies, in order to increase employability of young people and reversing the situation of lack of professionals in some sectors, such as ICT, and with a special emphasis on high-level people low socioeconomic status.
• Increase the proportion of women in STEM studies, both in training professional as in university studies, to correct the gender imbalance and improve the employability and employment of women in those sectors and professions in which they are underrepresented.
• Improve scientific, technological and mathematical skills in compulsory education to promote a positive and broad image of young people in these subjects as well as their social and professional interest
• Transmitting the social value of science, technology and mathematics to increase interest in these studies and professions and change social (gender) stereotypes surrounding them.