Businesses are being urged to inspire the next generation of digital engineers to meet a widening UK skills gap.
They are asked to get behind National Coding Week, which starts on 16 September, and help schools support pupils in learning vital digital skills which enhance career opportunities.
The call has been made by Midlands-based education programme provider STEM Venturi, which works with schools and community groups to increase access to digital skills such as coding, robotics and engineering.
It comes as the UK faces a digital skills shortage which is estimated to be costing the UK economy as much as £63 billion a year in potential GDP. In addition, 61 per cent of the active population in the UK having digital skills compared to 69.4 per cent in the US.
A Learning and Work Institute report states the number of young people taking IT subjects at GCSE has dropped 40 per cent since 2015 resulting in the UK heading towards a digital skills shortage “disaster”.
STEM Venturi’s Holly Davies, a former aerospace engineer, says many schools need the support to deliver digital skills workshops and don’t have the confidence to use technology such as microbits and robotics in lessons.
She wants to encourage businesses and educators to work together to bridge this gap by providing access to engaging workshops which inspire the next generation to strengthen digital awareness.
She said: “If we are to inspire change then it is important that businesses and schools work together to show real life examples of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills in action.
“Youngsters may have an interest in coding, racing remote control cars or building robots but not understand that these interests could actually be used to create rewarding jobs later on such as designing 3D video games or building robots to solve problems for large manufacturing firms.
“We want to help businesses solve the employment shortage from the ground up and inspire youngsters to see the exciting opportunities around them. It not only builds engineering and technology opportunities but helps to build young people’s creativity and exploration to show that anything is possible.”
STEM Venturi is looking for businesses to donate time and funds to support schools to upskill between 30 and 120 pupils at a time.
The sessions can be tailored around the business to provide a valuable insight into future careers in that sector with the aim being to build closer links between schools and businesses to provide the skills needed to bridge the digital skills gap.
Rachel Edwards, lead teacher at the Design Technology Department in Windsor Park CE Middle School, Uttoxeter, said it was important that experts were brought in to support teachers in delivering these “invaluable” skills for young people.
She said: “STEM skills are crucial for preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the world of work. Being able to have external providers in, like STEM Venturi, to showcase these skills is invaluable. In a recent 3D printing workshop run by the STEM Venturi team our key stage 3 students left knowing a lot more about the additive manufacturing process and all of the possibilities that this technology can provide.”
National Coding Week is an annual event that takes place in the third week of September. It promotes the importance of learning digital skills, with a focus on topics such as coding, AI and cyber security. The goal is to inspire both children and adults to acquire new skills.
