Our recent online business breakfast was hosted alongside the UK Innovation Corridor, with the discussion focusing on how to attract a diverse and skilled STEM workforce to this leading global and UK ‘sci-tech superhighway’ for innovation, growth and knowledge-based jobs.
The event saw our panel and lead organisations within the UK Innovation Corridor region joined by over 70 colleagues from businesses across the country. The panel consisted of:
- Chair and host - Liz Whitworth, Bid Development Officer, STEM Learning
- Dr Ann Limb, Chair of the UK Innovation Corridor
- Dr Andy Williams, Vice President Cambridge Programme and Strategy, AstraZeneca
- Dr Hugo Villanueva, Innovation and Business Development Director, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst
- Shelley Hancock, Regional Network Lead, STEM Learning
- Daljit Kaur, Regional Network Lead, STEM Learning
The discussion focused on how collaboration was crucial across education, business and the wider community to create a skilled workforce. The participants looked at how we are championing these partnerships through a range of key programmes including ENTHUSE Partnerships, STEM Ambassadors and Nuffield Research Placements.
Dr Ann Limb began the session describing how the Innovation Corridor is at the forefront of efforts to boost UK productivity - it's home to over 2.1 million jobs in the knowledge economy sectors. She talked about its international global status, attracting investment and employers, and how, crucially, it will attract the skilled workforce of the future. She also mentioned the importance of attracting investors and entrepreneurs to encourage innovative solutions in our changing world.
Dr Andy Williams from AstraZeneca, who is based at the Cambridge site in the corridor, highlighted how important it is to raise the profile of the Corridor locally to reach and engage with local communities. He outlined the importance of their relationship with STEM Learning through its sponsorship of a number of ENTHUSE Partnerships and the activities of 110 AstraZeneca STEM Ambassadors to bring STEM careers to life in schools.
He also shared examples of the adaptions they had made for their employees to enable them to have the time out of their daily commitments to undertake influential roles within schools. The key message was that support should be directed to more disadvantaged communities who are unaware of the various STEM industries on their doorstep and the exciting opportunities they could open up for them.
STEM Learning’s Regional Network Leads, Shelley Hancock and Daljit Kaur, both discussed how the rapid growth of new technologies, adapting to the digital requirements throughout the pandemic and the increased awareness of STEM sectors – in particular the pharmaceutical industries - had increased the importance of supporting a future STEM workforce. They highlighted the influence that STEM Ambassadors, teachers, governors and parents have in engaging young pupils in STEM subjects. They also emphasised the ‘power of presence’ and the positive impact of role models visiting schools to spark excitement and engagement in STEM subjects.
To meet some of the challenges faced by the UK Innovation Corridor, Dr Hugo Villanueva discussed how raising the profile of the Corridor to local communities was key to ensure its future success. He described how running outreach programmes (including a ‘Drug Development Summer School’ and providing STEM entrepreneurial incentives to encourage university leavers to continue their STEM pathway had proved successful in ensuring local communities knew about potential employment opportunities. He also touched upon the importance of showcasing STEM opportunities available that do not require a university degree. The need for a skilled workforce in manufacturing roles could open the door for those young people who feel ‘they aren’t good enough’ for a career in this sector -with apprenticeships allowing them to be part of the success story.
The clear message throughout was the exciting opportunity that the Innovation Corridor provides to the STEM community at large. There is an important role for STEM businesses to play through STEM Learning’s range of programmes to help the UK develop as a scientific superpower.
Our next virtual business breakfast is on 27 May where we will be looking at the role of public funded bodies working with business to increase STEM engagement and social value. Register for your free place here.
If you're an employer inspired by our recent business discussion and share our mission of a world-leading STEM education for every young person in the UK, whatever their background, please contact our employers team.
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