Bangor Mail

Scheme helping to meet surge in demand for skilled STEM workers

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AN INNOVATIVE education scheme is helping to meet a surge in demand for skilled STEM workers.

Over the last decade there has been rapid growth in students opting to take STEM (Science, Technology, Engineerin­g, Maths) subjects at university, including a 400% rise in AI (Artificial Intelligen­ce) applicants UK-wide.

Despite this, there is still an overwhelmi­ng need for more candidates in areas including IT, Computer Science, Engineerin­g, Data Analysis and Biology, which is why STEM Gogledd is working hard to attract more young people into these sectors.

Targeting 11 to 19 year olds in Conwy, Anglesey and Gwynedd, the project launched two years ago and was gaining momentum when Covid-19 took hold in the UK; all communicat­ions were moved online and as a result they managed to unite industry and academia to help bring through the next generation of apprentice­s and employees.

Supported by funding from WEFO (Welsh European Funding Office) and the European Social Fund (ESF), regional manager Dyfed Jones says their aim is to increase awareness and interest in STEM from an early age.

“A lot of the younger children are unsure what STEM is, and, as they grow older, whether there will be a viable career in it for them,” said Dyfed.

“Through this initiative we can engage Year 7 onwards and go on that journey with them through school to higher education, an apprentice­ship or the world of work.

“We do this via mentoring and our close partnershi­ps with companies across North Wales, hosting visits and welcoming them to speak to the pupils. During Covid we have had to do this virtually but that has made them more accessible and means more than one school can take part.”

Working with thousands of students and staff at 24 secondary schools across the three counties, the STEM Gogledd team will begin holding face-to-face sessions when it is safe to do so – adhering to social distancing and Coronaviru­s rules – and are also planning to launch a new podcast.

They hope to hear from businesses this academic year, and also want to engage more girls in what is traditiona­lly a male-dominated arena.

“The number of women in STEM careers is rising but it is still only around 25%,” said Dyfed.

“Education is key and so is demonstrat­ing – for girls and boys – that there are options for them in STEM right here in North Wales. We have many incredible companies in this region and there is demand for skilled workers, so we have to step up and meet that challenge as the issue is very much on the agenda in Wales and we are at the forefront of a push to fill these roles for this and future generation­s.”

Visit the STEM Gogledd website www.stemgogled­d.cymru or email stemgogled­d@gwynedd.llyw.cymru.

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