British industry is being given the chance to ‘Stand Up and Be Counted’ – in a bid to pass on vital knowledge and experience in the fight to ‘STEM’ the skills shortage.

The STEM Exchange, pioneered by The Stem Alliance, is a new initiative commissioned and funded by the Education and Training Foundation designed to bring further education and industry together.

Industry is opening its doors to post-16 educators to offer any number of development opportunities which will enable them understand the current and future needs of the sector.

Al Parkes, chief operating officer of Semta, the charity which runs The STEM Alliance and is Engineering Skills For The Future said: “We are giving industry the chance to open their doors and throw light on what skills the nation really needs to go about its business.

“The exchange of knowledge could be anything from a walk on the shop floor or introduction to your business to bite-sized work shadowing, advice over the phone or the opportunity to attend an internal training session. 

“This is about helping teaching practitioners understand business needs, the technologies in use and the challenges so they can shape their teaching to align with industry requirements.”

More than 200 businesses have already registered to participate in a myriad of ways – with many more expected to sign up in the next few weeks.

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