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Inspiring Engineers of the Future
ECITB Schools STEM Challenge Tour
On 5th October 2015 the ECITB launches its 2015 STEM Engineering Challenge Programme to help attract 60,000 more people into engineering construction over the next ten years. Commencing at the City of Peterborough Academy, the tour will visits schools across the UK with its interactive hands-on STEM Engineering Challenge.
The programme is a nationwide campaign that the ECITB, the leading skills body for the engineering construction industry, invests in every year, introducing the industry to pupils interested in the core STEM subjects. The challenges are based on activities that take place on a daily basis in the engineering construction industry and are both informative and exciting, giving students, information on entering the industry through apprentices and graduate schemes. The scheme has a particular focus on getting women interested in the industry too.
Chris Claydon, chief executive of the ECITB said:
“It is critical to make this investment in young people and get into schools as early as we can to provide positive messages, advice and guidance about careers in engineering. The Government and our industry are placing a huge emphasis on apprenticeships as well as higher education routes, and programmes like ours are a great way to get students engaged. Our industry represents some of the most critical energy and process sectors of the economy and there are many exciting career prospects.”
The Challenge designed for students aged 13 to 16 will visit around 50 STEM schools (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) across the country with around 5,000 students taking part. The programme aims to increase the awareness of the engineering construction industry and focus on the importance of the industry in providing fulfilling career pathways for young people.
Two groups of up to 60 pupils will take part in two project challenges. Each team of four has to design, plan and implement the project from conception to completion, to a set deadline.
Feedback from the recent pilot event of the programme was:
“We all thought it was a great day and a huge success in terms of what the students learnt and how much they enjoyed themselves.”
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If you’re interested in taking a look at ECITB STEM Challenge on tour, or sending a photographer along please contact ECITBs Communication Manager, Avril Goodenough on 01923 402123, or email avril.goodenough@ecitb.org.uk
Notes to editors:
Dr Rachel Odams
Head of Corporate Affairs
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
E: Rachel.odams@ecitb.org.uk
T: +44 (0)1923 402150
For further information please visit: www.ecitb.org.uk/NewsAnd Events Follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/ecitb_skills
About the ECITB
Established in 1991, the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB) mission is ‘Securing Engineering Construction Skills now and for the future’. The ECITB is the skills, standards and qualifications body with statutory responsibility for the development of the engineering construction workforce of Great Britain. The ECITB has a global footprint and supports clients in 18 countries, providing engineering and project delivery skills across the energy, processing and construction sectors. The ECITB works closely with employers and governments to attract develop and qualify engineering construction personnel in a wide range of craft, technical and professional skills and disciplines. Over the last 25 years the ECITB has supported 1.4 million learners. For more information please visit www.ecitb.org.uk