Q&A: Nurturing the next generation

You’re chair of the North East STEM Foundation. Can you tell us a little about theorganisation and its key objectives?

The North East STEM Foundation was founded to open doors for young people across the region, enabling them to develop skills and build careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

We are committed to bridging the gap between education and industry by partnering closely with businesses to deliver hands-on, real-world learning opportunities.

Our goal is to ensure every young person has the resources, support and inspiration to pursue fulfilling STEM careers that will drive innovation and economic growth in the North East.

The organisation is committed to creating opportunities for young people to flourish in STEM fields. How is it helping open those pathways, and what impact has it had to date?

The North East STEM Foundation takes a hands-on approach by funding and supporting initiatives that directly impact students, schools and colleges.

Through exciting STEM outreach programmes, we inspire and encourage future generations to pursue careers in the sector. We work to remove financial barriers, ensuring all children have access to quality STEM education.

We also continue to focus on creating more high-quality, STEM-focused learning environments across key stages three, four and five.

The North East STEM Foundation is supported by a number of businesses and organisations. How is their backing helping drive its mission forward?

Business support is crucial.

Our industry partners contribute funding, expertise and invaluable real-world insight that shape our initiatives.

Through working together with employers, we ensure young people are gaining the skills and knowledge that align with the current and future demands of the industry.

As the world transitions towards greater sustainability, the demand for a workforce equipped with STEM skills has never been more critical. What specific measures do you believe are needed to continue building that future-ready talent pipeline?

To build a workforce prepared for the green economy, we need a comprehensive, multi- faceted approach.

Early STEM engagement is vital to inspire young people from primary school onwards with hands-on projects, role models and real-world applications.

Stronger links between education and industry are needed to ensure technical curriculums complement emerging technologies.

Increased investment is also needed for STEM- focused colleges, apprenticeships and training centres.

Finally, support for upskilling and reskilling is required to help workers transition into new roles and adapt to evolving industries.

By taking these steps, we can ensure the North industries while creating high-value job opportunities for the future.

The Tees Maritime Cluster aims to harness Teesside’s marine sector strengths to drive economic growth and net-zero improvements. What impact do you see it having, and how will the North East STEM Foundation contribute to its ambitions?

The Tees Maritime Cluster is a ground-breaking initiative that will position Teesside at the forefront of the UK’s green maritime transition.

By using the region’s established strengths in engineering, offshore energy and logistics, it has the potential to create thousands of high-quality jobs and attract significant investment.

The North East STEM Foundation is committed to supporting the efforts of Hightide and other charitable organisations that are already heavily invested in advancing this vital industry.

Similarly, the North East Regional Defence and Security Cluster is making strides to bolster the UK’s cyber defences. How is the North East STEM Foundation feeding into its blueprint?

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing and most essential fields within STEM.

I’m pleased the North East is well positioned to become a leading hub for digital defence innovation.

The North East STEM Foundation is playing a key role by supporting cyber-focused educational programmes, cultivating strong industry partnerships and ensuring young people recognise cybersecurity as a viable and rewarding career path.

What are the key measures needed to further improve the skills landscape?

It’s a combination of factors:

• Greater funding for STEM education – Schools, colleges and training providers need better resources to deliver high-quality technical education

• Stronger Government support – Policies that encourage apprenticeships, industry-led training and investment in new facilities

• Enhanced collaboration between schools and businesses – More industry involvement in curriculum design, mentorship programmes and hands-on learning experiences

• Challenging outdated perceptions – STEM careers must be made more visible and accessible, especially for under-represented groups

By addressing these areas, we can create a thriving STEM talent pipeline that meets the long-term needs of the region and the country.

North East STEM Foundation
www.nesf.org.uk
LinkedIn: North East STEM Foundation