More women in STEM: the importance of lifelong learning

Lifelong learning is boosting the careers of more and more women in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) sectors. Although the gender gap is still large in these fields, initiatives that facilitate the development of technical skills and access to new opportunities in disciplines with a more technological and scientific profile are gaining strength.

Online learning platforms are democratizing technology training. For many professionals, these tools are an effective lever to relaunch or transform their career.

• Coursera collaborates with universities and companies to provide certifications in areas such as programming, Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity. Some of the courses are specifically aimed at women. This is the case of Emprendiendo en STEM, designed for women with a career in this field who want to create their own business. In addition, for those looking to strengthen their profile in STEM, the platform offers multiple courses and specializations that enhance their technological and scientific skills.
• Another key platform is LinkedIn Learning, which also offers a wide variety of courses in technology and business skills, helping professionals expand their competencies in key sectors.

Technology companies offer continuous training programs to achieve gender equality:

• Amazon Web Services’ AWS re/Start includes initiatives to train women in cloud computing skills and make it easier for them to connect with employers.
• Google’s Women Techmakers offers training, support networks, and mentoring for professional development.

In the university field, we start 2025 with the good news of the creation of OpenEU. It is a European alliance of open universities – including UNED and UOC – that aims to transform higher education into a continuous, diverse and digital learning model. As part of its commitment to inclusion, it develops programs aimed at underrepresented groups in the university, including women in STEM.

Continuous training is allowing more women to grow professionally in STEM sectors. But the real challenge starts earlier. Without more vocations from high school, change will be too slow.

In 2021, women accounted for only 32.8% of graduates in STEM careers in Europe, a percentage that has even fallen since 2015 (33.2%). To close this gender gap, it is not enough to facilitate access to continuous training. We also need a university education that attracts more young people to these disciplines. The more women enroll in STEM careers, the more they will be able to take advantage of the great opportunities for growth and specialization that lifelong learning in these areas offers.