STEM careers opportunities highlighted with development day at Charnwood Campus

Careers opportunities in life sciences were highlighted in an industry day at Charnwood Campus Science, Innovation and Technology Park.

STEM teachers and school staff from across the region attended an event in collaboration with the LLEP Careers Hub.

It was developed to assist teachers and teaching assistants working in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics engaged directly with local and global employers in the life sciences sector.

A timetable of talks and demonstrations, helped secondary school and FE college staff learn more about options on offer to students wanting to follow a career in the STEM sector.

It is one of several Teacher Encounter Days that make up part of the We Discover programme, which is managed by the LLEP Careers Hub, whose work has been recently highlighted in the Careers Hub Impact Report 2018-23.

The day was opened by the Rt Hon Baroness Morgan of Cotes, the Chair of the Careers and Enterprise Company.

Baroness Morgan spoke about the importance of careers and business-education links, with particular focus on embedding careers in the curriculum as a theme for the day.

She said: “Teacher Encounters are expanding further that vital bridge between the worlds of education and employment.

“This fantastic Leicester programme will provide teachers with valuable insight into the STEM sector – vital to the economic growth of the region and country.

“At a time when skills are at a premium for business, it will also help local Leicestershire firms play a role in developing the talent on their doorstep.”

Representatives from the Charnwood Campus Life Sciences Talent and Skills Institute (LS TSI); Almac Group, Charnwood Molecular, Kindeva Drug Delivery, and Weiss Technic took part in a panel discussion chaired by Darren Clark, from Medilink Midlands, and spent the day working with the teachers on various activities.

Several apprentices and T-level students attended to showcase some of the technical/vocational training routes and opportunities with companies onsite and in the wider Charnwood Campus cluster.

The LLEP Careers Hub also used the event to launch its Life Sciences World of Work resource.

Gosia Khrais, Commercial Director at Charnwood Campus and LLEP Director, said: “We have been delighted to host the STEM focused Teacher Encounter Day.

“It was in partnership with the Life Science Talent and Skills Institute, part of our recently launched Cluster Support Platform, and the LLEP Careers Hub.

“Within Leicester and Leicestershire, our growing, successful life sciences sector accounts for 14,200 jobs.

“Being able to develop, retain and attract life science skills in the region is essential for our flourishing life sciences cluster and it is crucial that business and educational centres work together to deliver this, from early STEM engagement to further and higher education.”

Gerarde Manley, Leicester and Leicestershire’s Careers Hub’s Strategic Lead, added: “This partnership brings teachers from across the region to hear from the sector about how important the life sciences is to our local economy and the career pathways available to our young people.

“This event is a great opportunity to meet peers, discuss ideas, and network.

“This is the first time we have held a large-scale teacher encounters event and we are delighted with the attendance and feedback.”

All attendees benefited from takeaway teacher resource for their classrooms, including a local labour market guide for young people, video, quiz and guides for life sciences and other supporting material.