PROFESSION WATCH THALES AIM IS TO INSPIRE NEW YOUNG TALENT


Thales in the UK has entered into a partnership with Primary Engineer, an organisation that actively works to bring engineering into the heart of the classroom and inspire the next generation of engineers.


With 50 per cent of engineering firms


reportedly finding it difficult to recruit and retain those with the correct skills and knowledge, Thales recognises the importance of reaching young people at school age to encourage them to consider careers in engineering and develop their skills from an early age. This is why the company has become the latest national partner for the Primary Engineers Leaders Award.


Despite an increase in STEM


undergraduates, 40 per cent of employers are still reporting a shortage of graduates being one of the key barriers to recruitment – 186,000 skilled engineers are needed annually until 2024 to plug the skills gap. The annual UK-wide initiative, asks the question, “If you were an engineer, what would you do?”, and encourages pupils to identify problems in the world and come up with creative ideas – embedding creative problem solving as a key part of being an engineer. The competition, which is open to all primary and secondary schools across the UK, looks to encourage and grow diverse young talent. Thales’ technology and


❱❱ Young people of all ages can take part in the Primary Engineer competition


engineering professionals will be on-hand to motivate pupils and help design their solutions to better our future. Alex Creswell, CEO of Thales in the UK,


said: “We’re thrilled to be a national partner for this competition. Our team is looking forward to mentoring pupils during their


journey and experiencing what the minds of tomorrow will come up with in response to some of the world’s most critical issues. It’s an excellent opportunity to inspire young people and help build some of the practical and cognitive skills they need to pursue an engineering career.”


SANTA LOVES STEM CAMPAIGN OFFERS FESTIVE FUN


The Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) annual Santa Loves STEM campaign is back for another year, with a festive hub full of family friendly engineering- and technology-based activities. Santa’s STEM workshop, as it is known, is designed to inspire the next generation and highlight the exciting career possibilities provided by science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). Hosted on the IET’s Education


website, the online hub is bursting with budget-friendly activity ideas for families, schools or local groups to do with children as the festive period approaches. With something for all abilities,


children aged 4-13 are invited to join Santa and his elves for experiments, crafts and bakes which provide a fun


34 /// Testing & Test Houses /// December 2022


❱❱ IET STEM campaign aims to get children involved online over Christmas


take on STEM-inspired learning. David Lakin, IET head of Education,


Safeguarding & Education Policy, said: “We are delighted to be bringing back our popular IET Santa Loves STEM campaign for 2022. This is such an important set of fun, hands-on resources for encouraging children’s passions for STEM.


“As anyone who follows the work of the IET will be aware, there is a huge shortfall in the numbers of young people taking up careers in engineering and technology. By providing these fun-filled activities that get families in the festive spirit and teach children about the amazing professions available within the sector, we can capture their imaginations from a young age and help tackle the problem.” As part of Santa’s STEM


workshop, children can have a go at creating winter window decorations, experiment with snow sparkly slime, engineer their own Christmas lights or even bake Rudolph thumbprint cookies. For those who have a keen interest in the environment and its inhabitants, there is also a range


of fun activities to get children thinking about our planet.


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