The STEM skills shortage is costing us £1.5 billion every year. Are we doing enough to ensure our engineering and manufacturing industries don’t grind to a halt?
In 2018 a report was released by STEM Learning,

Image credit: Julian Claxton and Vattenfall
Part of a wider UK network of 19 STEM Ambassador Hubs, the Norfolk branch of the programme officially launches in May 2019. Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm
‘the hub represents a unique opportunity for us to deepen our understanding of what students, teachers and parents would like to know about STEM’. The hub will offer work experience opportunities for students as well as providing STEM resource information for educators. The hub has already run a workshop at Vattenfall for International Women’s Day, addressing the shortage of girls and women in the energy and manufacturing sectors.

Image credit: Norfolk Industries
Norfolk Industries is a pet bedding and packaging service with a twist. The large majority of their staff are disabled. The company has been running for over 100 years, starting by employing those with visual impairments but have since branched out to offer both employment and work experience to those with other mental and physical disabilities. Sharon Tooke, general manager at the factory, has said that this group of people are a ‘completely untapped workforce’ that could help fill the shortage of workers after Brexit
She also states that the main problem of getting those with disabilities into work is actually perception from the businesses. ‘Businesses are all about the money and margins and see people with disabilities as a hassle’ she said. Norfolk Enterprise

This blog post originally appeared on the NAAME website. NAAME is Hethel Innovation’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering network.
NAAME (New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering) aims to develop a network which will create opportunities and drive the growth of manufacturers and engineers through collaborative working, allowing New Anglia businesses to shape their own future.
For more information, or to join the NAAME network, click here