How children can still get into STEM during lockdown and beyond

30 July, 2020

Up in Glasgow, CGI launched its ‘STEM from Home’ activities to play its part in easing the pain of lockdown. Using a weekly resource pack aimed at children between the ages of six and 14, the activities focus on robotics, coding, the environment, sport and healthy living. Wanting as many children as possible to get into STEM, enough resources were created to last 12 weeks, with more in the pipeline. It could be the difference between children getting into the industry or choosing a different path.

Apprenticeship Success

Despite there being a lot of STEM undergraduate degrees available, one of the common routes into STEM is via an apprenticeship, with the car industry a good example of how young people can go straight into workplace once they have finished further or higher education. With engineering playing such a vital role in the building of cars and the maintenance of them, it is important that young people continue to choose this route as a career choice.

The latest rising star in the car industry is Rob Pallent Bright, a Lookers apprentice based at Lookers Ford Braintree. Playing a pivotal role in the servicing of cars like the new Ford Mondeo Hybrid, Rob’s hard work and dedication paid off as he picked up two major apprentice gongs in the same week, just five months ago. Those awards were the prestigious Ford Apprentice of the Year for 2019 and the overall winner prize at the WorldSkills 2019 finals in the Automotive Technology category. It is evidence that success can be achieved by young people in STEM.

With great opportunities being created through apprenticeships, initiatives that are helping us during lockdown, and education when the schools re-open, the possibilities for children and young people are endless, and ones that could help fill industry gaps for years to come.