51’s NUSTEM initiative is supporting
global engineering companies, including Airbus, BP and Nissan, to develop the engineering
workforce of the future by engaging more effectively with young people from
diverse backgrounds.
Established in 2014, has worked
with more than 115,000 young people along with their families and teachers,
encouraging them to consider careers in Science, Technology, Engineering or
Maths (STEM).
With significant expertise in this field, NUSTEM has
worked with Engineering UK to support the launch of its Tomorrow’s Engineers
Code, which aims to increase the diversity and number of young people entering
engineering careers.
Organisations signing up to The Code agree to four
pledges about their approach to funding, designing, delivering, and learning
from engineering-inspiration activities.
To support signatories in implementing each of the
pledges, NUSTEM has , including short, medium and long-term suggestions
and activities, applicable to engineering companies of all sizes.
Dr Carol Davenport is Director of NUSTEM and sits on the advisory board of the
Tomorrow’s Engineers Code. Speaking about the project she said: “It is
recognised right across the engineering sector that we all need to do more to
encourage young people to consider a career in STEM, and to encourage greater workforce
diversity. The Code promotes collaboration between engineering organisations to
achieve this shared goal.
“The role of NUSTEM has been to take our seven
years of experience in public engagement in this field and distil that down to develop
a practical guide that companies can use to help them make changes to their
business which will have a lasting impact.
“It is recognised that the issue of diversity in
engineering can’t be solved by one organisation alone, but thanks to Engineering
UK, the Tomorrow’s Engineers Code means we are now all working together,
sharing ideas, with clear vision of how to achieve our aim.”
Launched last October, the Tomorrow’s Engineers
Code already has support from over 120 organisations, including engineering
companies such as Toyota and Siemens, as well as universities, and institutions
such as the Royal Academy of Engineering, Ministry of Defence, Institute of
Mechanical Engineers and Institute of Physics.
The four pledges within the Tomorrow’s Engineers
Code are:
- Ensuring public engagement and learning programmes contribute to a sustained and rich STEM journey for all young people.
- Ensuring all young people have opportunities to engage in engineering-inspiration activities, so that no one is left behind.
- Promoting a positive, compelling and authentic view of engineering, and showcasing the breadth of opportunities.
- Improving the monitoring and evaluation of programmes and activities to develop a shared understanding of what works.
For each of the four, NUSTEM has provided examples
of work which could be carried out to achieve the pledge, as well as real-life
examples from NUSTEM’s work with young people in the North East of England.
The recommendations include a strong focus on
working with children from young age, engaging with their families and teachers,
and ensuring activities are accessible to families without a science
background.
As Dr Davenport explains: “One way to increase the
diversity of an organisation is to encourage young people from traditionally
under-represented areas. However, research shows that children make gendered
and career limiting choices before the age of eight. If engagement work is to eventually
increase the number of people entering STEM employment, we must therefore work
with, and understand the needs of, younger children.
“Children are heavily influenced in their career
choices by those around them – their families, communities and teachers. Not
only is it important to include these influencers in STEM engagement
activities, but it’s also more effective.
“Increasing the diversity and number of young
people who want to work in STEM is a very complex problem comprising multiple
societal and economic challenges. Employers must collaborate to forge a sector
which is truly welcoming to people from diverse backgrounds. Doing so will
require that, together, we improve the quality, focus and effectiveness of our
STEM engagement activities.”
