Ministers launch skills campaign

Education minister Elizabeth Truss today launched a new campaign which partners educators, industry and government to help boost participation in STEM subjects, particularly amongst females.

Alongside industry representatives and MPs, Truss stated that record numbers of pupils are now entering the sciences at GCSE and A level - and almost as many girls as boys take GCSE physics.

We need to attract as many young men and women as possible

BP chief scientist Angela Strank

However, although these are seen as advances in those taking up STEM subjects, the pipeline of talent is broken at age 16, Truss said.

“A levels are the most popular choice at 16. But only 2% of girls taking A level do physics and only 8% do maths - the numbers aren’t much better for boys,” said Truss.

To help boost these figues, many of the UK’s top industry bodies and sector representatives are promoting the Your Life scheme – including BP and the Food & Drink Federation (FDF).

“To stay at the leading edge of business and industry on an increasingly competitive the global stage, we need to attract as many young men and women as possible to pursue careers in these subjects,” said BP chief scientist Angela Strank.

Likewise, FDF director general Melanie Leech pointed to the necessity to attract more young people, especially women, to careers within the growing food and drink sector.

“I am delighted that food and drink will be contributing to the national aspirations to double the number of women studying engineering and technology degrees at undergraduate level by 2030 and boost the number of women pursuing careers in engineering and technology,” said Leech.

“FDF’s pledge will raise the profile of women in technology and engineering careers in food and drink manufacturing. Following today’s launch we will champion the pledge with the 7,700 food and drink businesses in the UK to increase the numbers of women involved in food science and engineering.”

The new campaign will also act as a catalyst for postgraduate specialists to provide master-classes and online lesson demonstrations in maths and physics to raise standards in these areas.

It is expected that the campaign will create more than 2,000 entry-level positions and apprenticeships throughout the 170 businesses taking part.