STEM
their awareness and understanding of STEM careers. Each partnership, which lasts for two years, can access up to £ 20,000 of support.
“ Employers face challenges such as a shortage of talent in the local area; low applications; a lack of employerready young people, or wider difficulties around diversity,” explains Dainty.“ They often spend time and energy running‘ one-off’ enrichment activities for schools, but it’ s difficult to understand the impact. We use the partnership to look at what both schools and
HOW AN ENTHUSE PARTNERSHIP WORKS
STEM Learning works with groups of four to eight schools and colleges to develop a bespoke two-year action plan which includes:
Teacher CPD- combining residential, and local and online
Resources- free, curated and quality assured
Teacher placements- immersion in industry or university
STEM Ambassadors- employees inspiring pupils and teachers
STEM Clubs- exciting young people and developing practical skills employers need, and co-design an action plan for both to implement over a sustained period.”
As part of this, STEM Learning works to understand local labour market information( Gatsby Benchmark 2), opportunities available for further STEM study, or direct pathways into a career.
“ It’ s getting to the crux of the Gatsby Benchmarks and looking at opportunities for young people to engage with employers,” says Dainty.
The employer is then invited to work hands-on with groups of schools local to their sites( see GSK case study, page 48). Participating schools build strong links with the employers and their workforce, including‘ STEM ambassadors’, who help bring STEM subjects to life and demonstrate their value in life and careers.
“ Ambassadors offer their time and enthusiasm to mentor young people, help teachers bring real-life STEM context to the classroom, and talk about career opportunities,” adds Dainty.
STEM-specific CPD for teachers
She explains that, at the heart of the partnership, is STEM-specific CPD for teachers.“ If you can enthuse, motivate and instil a passion for the subject in a teacher who will work with hundreds of young people in the space of a ››
“ If you can instil a passion for the subject in a teacher who will work with hundreds of young people, you’ ll have a greater impact”
QUICK
READ
• There is a current shortfall of 173,000 skilled workers; 89 % of STEM businesses struggle to recruit.
• The number of new STEM roles is expected to double in the next 10 years, which could have a significant impact on the economy if the skills shortage continues.
• STEM Learning’ s ENTHUSE Partnerships inspire young people into STEM subjects and careers, by enabling groups of schools and colleges to improve young people’ s achievement and engagement in STEM.
FUTURE TALENT // 47