The Vision

To become the Focal Point for STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths] development, advice and guidance for Schools, Colleges, Higher Education and Businesses in Cumbria.

The North West Regional Economic Strategy and Economic Strategy for Cumbria both highlight economic challenges that face Cumbria in the coming years. There is a need for young people with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths [STEM] skills to live and work in Cumbria to contribute towards economic regeneration.

The nuclear sector [national] alone will need an additional 55,000 recruits over the next 15 years. Nuclear decommissioning will require the development of new skills. The ongoing step-change in the nuclear industry from power generation to decommissioning has had a significant impact on the skills gap within the existing workforce. New job roles are emerging in the nuclear industry and these are hard to fill. This will provide new and exciting employment opportunities for young people in Cumbria.

Through analysis of STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths] research reports the following facts have been identified;

The 16 – 18 year old population is in decline.
There is a decline in Maths and Science uptake at A level and HE.
The overall STEM position nationally is strong but this is NOT the case for Physical Sciences and Engineering.
Adult perceptions of STEM jobs are negative and key influencers are poorly informed.
Young people who do enter Engineering, have been influenced by a role model in the field.
The largest proportion of STEM opt-out is post GCSE.
STEM uptake is gender biased.

To enhance and enrich pupils’ and students’ experience of STEM and help them to become aware of the wealth of opportunities in STEM related careers.
To excite and enthuse young people about the potential for employment in STEM related careers.
To use the Science & Engineering Ambassadors programme managed by SETPOINT Cumbria to provide STEM role models, particularly relating to gender issues.
To broker and provide high quality events and activities for pupils and their teachers which enhance the delivery of more innovative teaching with the emphasis on practical and applied learning.
To ensure that partners work together to improve young peoples’ experience of STEM.
To better meet the needs of schools with the changing curriculum at KS3, KS4 and post 16 to make it more applied and practical by providing contact with employers.
To work with STEM based businesses in Cumbria and encourage them to support the Science & Engineering Ambassadors programme.
To work with the University of Cumbria and act as the information point for the development of appropriate STEM based degree courses.