Beyond Textbooks: why businesses must invest in grassroots stem initiatives

GUEST BLOG: In this contributed post, Sarah-Jayne van Greune, chief operating officer at Payen & ILIXIUM, explains how businesses should be going straight to the source to encourage young, diverse talent into the technology sector.

Building a skilled IT workforce is a pressing challenge. The skills gap in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) sectors is already causing significant disruption across industries, and a 2019 Learning and Work Institute (L&W) report warns this will only worsen, costing the UK a staggering £120 billion by 2030. This becomes more concerning when we consider that secondary school pupils currently receive limited computing lessons – about an hour a week – and can opt out of the subject entirely by 14.

Prompting a genuine STEM interest

Businesses therefore must move beyond boardrooms and into schools. Why? Because the gap between academic qualifications and industry needs cripples our ability to build a strong future workforce. We’re missing talented individuals due to a lack of early engagement. To bridge this gap and create a solid ground for the next generation of workers and investors, a change is required that prioritises grassroots engagement between businesses and schools.

That does not mean stale career talks. We need to ignite a passion for STEM through engaging initiatives. This could be hackathons, after-school robotics or coding clubs provided by STEM institutions (free or low-cost) and personalised mentorship programs pairing young minds with passionate role models from diverse backgrounds. This micro-level engagement, supported by grassroots initiatives, is key. It equips students with not just theoretical knowledge, but the practical application which is important in the workplace.

Luckily, many organisations are already waking up to this. They’re adding a real-life spin to STEM subjects, like using math classes to teach financial literacy. A recent example is a school in Edinburgh that became a hub for a women in computing event. Over 300 attendees were introduced to leading STEM figures and women working in tech. Through engaging workshops, these professionals showcased their skills, boosting awareness and inspiring future generations. By fostering a love for STEM, businesses and schools can encourage a genuine interest in STEM for the future workforce.

Unpicking the education system

The recent educational restructuring in the UK, with the demise of T-levels and the introduction of the “Advanced British Standard,” highlights the need for adaptability. Businesses must become chameleons, tailoring support to the evolving curriculum. Schools, conversely, need to stay plugged into industry trends. Yet this demands long-term partnerships between businesses and schools. Open communication, fuelled by mutual feedback (including student voices), will be the backbone of these partnerships. Embracing change ensures grassroots initiatives deliver lasting impact, regardless of the educational framework.

Furthermore, this collaboration will unlock another crucial benefit: informing curriculum development. Businesses, partnered with school and those developing the curriculum, can create a future-proof STEM curriculum. This organic approach removes insincere diversity objectives. Rather, it empowers students to have a genuine passion for STEM subjects, nurturing the next generation of talent from the ground up.

Removing unconscious bias

But organisations must navigate this journey responsibly. Engaging school leavers is not just about creating exciting around their future career. While it’s essential, progress also demands removing unconscious bias. Businesses hold immense power to drive this change.

To constantly improve, businesses should think of ways to monitor how inclusive initiatives are. For example, ensuring there’s female leader involvement to encourage young girls to sign up in tech classes. Or it could be considering if there are costs associated, as well as thinking of other tactics to ensure initiatives are welcoming for those that are neurodiverse and differently-abled.

However, removing unconscious bias requires a cultural shift in mindset and autocratic thinking. Leaders that recognise the skills needed to overcome unconscious bias are going to be key in overcoming it. They will not only help with widening their businesses talent pool but can use emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to create strategies that help prevent unconscious bias being built into technology.

Grass roots

Building a diverse and passionate STEM workforce isn’t about ticking a box – it’s a must for for future success.  A talent pool brimming with passion, industry knowledge and applied problem-solving skills creates a competitive edge. This advantage only stems from a grassroots approach rooted in collaboration, inclusivity and a shared vision. By fostering an exciting and welcoming environment for all into STEM from the get-go, businesses unlock the full potential of the next generation of STEM pioneers.