With the world switching to online overnight back in March, there\u2019s been a real emphasis on providing online workshops and conferences for all sorts of topics. One such topic that should be high on the agenda for any manufacturing firms is providing STEM related seminars for students who are interested in working within the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important to keep young people engaged with STEM subjects as much as possible, and with everyone having more spare time on their hands in the current circumstances, holding online seminars are a great way to increase exposure for your company, whilst also educating the manufacturers of tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By simply holding an hour long, half day, or even full day course discussing some of the more practical aspects of utilising STEM skills within the workplace, you could be engaging some of the brightest upcoming minds within the industry. It\u2019s essential that manufacturers don\u2019t overlook the importance of holding small events like these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With GCSE, AS and A2-Level exams all cancelled this year, there should be real emphasis on ensuring that we are equipping our country\u2019s students with the right skills to thrive within workplaces. STEM subjects are absolutely essential for modern day working life, and if there are any ways in which we can introduce more STEM learning during these testing times, it must be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inevitably there will be real emphasis placed on \u2018catching up\u2019 when students do return to school in September. With several months of the academic year missed in 2020, many within education will be keen to press on with textbook learning to ensure students are ready for exams. Whilst this is obviously extremely important, it\u2019s vital that educators don\u2019t forget the importance of STEM subjects and learning practical skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s no secret that STEM solutions are currently playing a role in ensuring a return to normality for people across the country, as manufacturers, like ourselves, have been active during the pandemic providing parts for vital healthcare equipment. Schools must dedicate time to teaching key principles when it comes to STEM subjects, allowing students to express creative freedom within their classrooms. Weekly workshops on problem solving are a great place to start, and these types of sessions can encourage collaboration between students, whilst also giving the opportunity for creativity to shine through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take the Coronavirus pandemic for example; across manufacturing we have seen a whole host of practical and creative ideas implemented in order to most effectively tackle the challenges of the situation. Without these ideas and solutions, who knows where we would be right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whilst the Coronavirus pandemic has stolen headlines for obvious reasons in recent months, it\u2019s important to remember that there is still an alarming skills shortage within the manufacturing industry. In the UK alone, STEM roles are expected to double in the next decade, so it\u2019s essential that there are fully capable young people coming through education who can competently fill these roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is believed that at present, there is a shortfall of around 200,000 workers within the industry, and this is inevitably costing businesses up and down the country millions of pounds each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whilst it would be unfair to expect the next generation of manufacturers to come in and plug the gap fully, there\u2019s an opportunity for the industry to prepare young people for the jobs they are looking to occupy in the future. Offering work placements to university students, and giving them a real taste of what it is like to work within a manufacturing setting is a great place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Offering apprenticeships is also a fantastic way to engage young people and give them exposure to manufacturing best practices from a young age, giving them the very best chance of succeeding within the industry in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Young](\"https:\/\/optimistic-solomon.194-164-31-150.plesk.page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Young-Engineer.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFocus On Creativity & Engagement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Skills Shortage Still Worryingly Apparent<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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