Thursday, 18 August 2022
Four of the top five most popular subjects taken at A’Level this year are STEM subjects. Maths, psychology, biology and chemistry continue to be top choices for students.
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Four of the top five most popular subjects taken at A’Level this year are STEM subjects. Maths, psychology, biology and chemistry continue to be top choices for students.
Good news because the UK needs young people with an interest in STEM subjects, as the latest ONS figures show there were 93,000 manufacturing vacancies May - July 2022.
It’s fantastic for the sector if more young people are taking the right subjects at school. But in addition, how can we, as business leaders, help to inspire the young engineers of the future?
Research commissioned by EngineeringUK with 11-16 year-olds in Britain, revealed that children in the UK don’t realise the scope of careers that are dependant on STEM. The best way to really understand the careers that are available, is for business to work more closely with schools and colleges.
Bringing young people onto the shop floor and getting them living and breathing engineering is the perfect way to inspire the next generation. Open days in partnership with your local college or through industry bodies such as Make UK allow groups of young people to see the variety of different jobs that are available in manufacturing. It demonstrates that working in a factory is more varied than they may imagine. It shows how jobs in manufacturing combine design, creativity and technology as well as skills such as welding and fabrication.
EngineeringUK found that young people who attended a careers event with an employer, were around twice as likely to know about what engineers and scientists can do in their jobs and almost three times as likely to be interested in a career in engineering.
STEM activities in schools are also a great way to encourage young people pre sixteen to engage with subjects that may then lead to a career in engineering. By supporting competitions, sending team members into schools, or inviting children to events on your premises you will help to show young people what’s possible.
We always try to offer work experience opportunities if we’re asked, and have welcomed many young people from schools and colleges over the years. Working with our local college, Coleg Sir Gâr, we’ve hosted individual work experience placements as well as group visits. Several individuals who’ve visited have then gone on to join our apprentice programme, delivered in partnership with Coleg Sir Gâr.
Vocational training gives young people a mix of academic and real-life experiences, allowing them to take on apprenticeships and learn on the job – a route that many members of the current Amcanu team have taken. We are massive fans of apprentices and always have one or two people on apprenticeship programmes.
“I am currently on an apprenticeship with Amcanu. I'm thoroughly enjoying my journey, the support I have received so far has been A-class. It’s a very professional and established workplace which appeals to me, as I am interested in progressing and becoming more knowledgeable. I’m looking forward to a bright future here at Amcanu.” Rhys Williams, Apprentice, Amcanu
With a variety of different pathways into engineering available, we believe business can play a crucial role in addressing the skills gap by making a firm commitment to offering youngsters opportunities to experience what a career in engineering can offer.
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