Employers

'Education-business partnership work brings tangible benefits, not just to schools and colleges but also to the businesses involved'
CBI education and skills survey 2010

'Rolls-Royce recognises the vital importance of engaging with young people from the primary age group onwards to enthuse them about the STEM subjects and about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.'
Nicola Swaney, Education Manager, Rolls-Royce plc

Society knows that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills are vital to understanding the world in which we live, as well as enabling innovation and technological advance. For young people, studying these subjects can help them fulfil their potential and open doors to rewarding careers. For employers, STEM skills are crucial in maintaining and developing business, increasing investment and achieving growth.

Employers can help to support teachers and young people in understanding the excitement and potential of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a variety of ways, including:

'In terms of money, the investment is tiny... There is a certainly a time commitment, but I believe any time spent on getting people with the right skills into the industry is time well spent. The crux of the matter is that we need to form better links with education...'
Mark Laing, Managing Director, Nairn's Oatcakes

Organisations ready to help employers make these links include:

1. Continuing Professional Development for Teachers and Technicians - The national network of Science Learning Centres and the National Centre for Excellence in Teaching of Mathematics.

The national network of Science Learning Centres provide opportunities for teachers, tutors, lecturers, teaching assistants and technicians to engage in continuing professional development, either through the National Science Learning Centre located on the University of York campus or through one of nine Regional Science Learning Centres across England.

The Science Learning Centres aim to help teachers, schools and colleges continuously improve teaching and learning and to inspire pupils by providing them with a more exciting, intellectually stimulating and relevant science education. Thus enabling them to gain the knowledge and the understanding they need - both as the citizens and as the scientists of the future.

For more information go to: www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk.

The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) aims to meet the professional aspirations and needs of all teachers of mathematics and realise the potential of learners through a sustainable national infrastructure for mathematics-specific continuing professional development (CPD).

For more information go to: www.ncetm.org.uk.

2. Encouraging staff to become STEM Ambassadors, finding out more about STEM Clubs and STEM Enhancement & Enrichment opportunities - STEMNET

More than 2,000 employers, large and small, are already supporting the STEM Ambassadors Programme. Employees can apply to be STEM Ambassadors free of charge. Once they have been registered, trained and CRB-checked, they become part of a network of more than 21,000 people across the UK, all keen to share their enthusiasm and passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics with young people.

STEM Ambassadors make a significant impact on young people's perceptions of science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects and careers. They have a vital role in widening participation - encouraging young people from all backgrounds to see that "people like me do science and mathematics".

'I really learnt a lot about this type of science career, I did not think science could involve all these things like travelling the world and being in charge of making buildings or stadiums'

Being a STEM Ambassador has benefits for the employer and employee, as well as the young people, teachers and parents with whom Ambassadors work.

'A rewarding experience. I felt valued by the students and teaching staff. Hopefully I have also helped persuade a few to try a career in science in healthcare!'
John Allen, Senior Medical Physicist, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle

Through STEM Ambassadors, employers can also support the STEM Clubs Network - www.stemclubs.net - and a range of STEM Enhancement & Enrichment activities listed in the STEM Directories - www.stemdirectories.org.uk.

3. Encouraging staff to become School and College Governors, and building wider links between employers and colleges and schools - The Education Employer Taskforce

The Taskforce's vision is to ensure that every school and college has an effective partnership with employers to provide its young people with the inspiration, motivation, knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to help them achieve their potential and so to secure the UK's future prosperity.

The Taskforce can help employers build wider links to education, providing advice and guidance on what can be achieved and how. It also can provide important networking opportunities between employers, so they can learn from each other.

For more information go to: www.educationandemployers.org and visit the helpful Employers Guide at: www.employers-guide.org.

The School Governors One-Stop Shop (SGOSS) - www.sgoss.org.uk - is dedicated to recruiting volunteers to serve on school governing bodies across England. Its services are free to volunteers, employers, schools and Local Authorities.