Students Go Higher in STEM careers
Science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) are ever-present in our lives, with businesses and the Higher Education (HE) sector continuing to grow in this dynamic area.
According to local labour market information, between 2021 and 2023 STEM jobs have grown by 50% across West Yorkshire in recent years, with 23,000 extra jobs. This shows that young people in the region need to be prepared for and made aware of these opportunities to ensure a local pipeline of talent.
In response to this, and to address future skills Go Higher West Yorkshire (GHWY) and West Yorkshire Combined Authority worked in partnership to deliver a Go Higher in STEM event for Year 10 students from underrepresented groups
Practical workshops
The Go Higher in STEM event, hosted by Leeds Beckett University was supported and delivered by a wide range of inspirational industry specialists. These included representatives from Network Rail, engineers, quantity surveyors, and HE ambassadors.
Over 50 students from six West Yorkshire schools took part in a series of practical, employer and HE-led workshops that explored progression pathways, STEM careers, skills, and experience of the workplace. Activities included:
- Exploration into economics and the impact external factors, such as the cost of living, can have on a financial outcome.
- Hands-on quantity surveying workshop with a focus on career opportunities including a tour of Leeds Beckett University’s industry standard facilities.
- Building Bridges into engineering workshop featuring computer aided design (CAD) and material testing.
Increased knowledge and awareness
The event had a significant impact on students’ knowledge and understanding of the STEM industry. After the event, students said their knowledge of working in STEM industries had increased by 33% and their understanding of what skills they would need to pursue a STEM career by 20%.
One student found that the reality of this sector was different from how they had imagined. They commented:
“It has showed me that they are practical subjects and not only writing.” Another student said: “This morning I felt as though STEM was quite hard and mostly all work, but I was surprised at how interesting it was.”
The feedback demonstrates the positive impact the bespoke event had on students in highlighting the breadth of opportunities the industry has to offer and to experience the STEM workplace first-hand.
The event was equally well received by employers and academics. One employer reflected: “The event made me realise how much we do within our organisation to encourage a diverse and inclusive recruitment process.” This demonstrates an example of good business practice that aims to reduce the systemic barriers that students from under-represented groups can face in the workplace
Upcoming events
GHWY and the Combined Authority will continue to collaborate to deliver three more events in 2023-24 focusing on the growing industry sectors of digital, healthcare, and green skills. Guided by Local Skills Improvement Plans, they will provide students with high quality and meaningful experiences of the workplace. They will also offer insights into progression pathways, employer interactions, and real-life skills development.
These events demonstrate the importance of strategic partnership and collaborative working, aiming to connect careers provision in schools and colleges to the needs of local economies.
If you would like to offer young people experiences of the work place, sign up to the West Yorkshire Careers Portal. A platform where local employers and schools and colleges can connect and offer experiences to young people.