Engineers and scientists can revolutionise the world - if we have enough of them. You could change the life of a budding future engineer or scientist.
Every year, 69,000 roles for engineers and skilled technicians in the UK go unfulfilled. Yet the UK has a wealth of untapped potential; people from low participation backgrounds make up only 11% of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) undergraduates in the UK.
One problem can solve the other. By using all the talent the UK's young people have to offer, the UK can produce all the engineers and scientists we urgently need. With the right support, they will be the ones who help to tackle our greatest global challenges such as discovering better medicines, designing alternatives to plastic, engineering affordable solar power providing safe water and preventing terror attacks. At the University of Birmingham, we can help them succeed.
Bridging the Gap: The Foundation Year
Many young people from low participation backgrounds are discouraged from studying STEM subjects and their chance of becoming an engineer and scientist drifts away all too quickly. At the University of Birmingham we are seeking to bridge that gap with the Engineering and Science Foundation Year, one of the first of its kind. Working with local schools, the foundation year is aimed at A-level students who are not studying a STEM subject by supporting their transition to study STEM at Birmingham with all the support they need over 12 months. Through funding for living costs and fees, mentoring from current and former students and by gaining professional experience, the foundation year will unearth future engineers and scientists who otherwise would never have had the chance.
This five-year pilot programme will initially take 12 students a year before it can be rolled out nationally to help address the skills shortage crisis. With your support, either by making a gift or through volunteering your time and expertise, we can break down barriers and produce some of the world's most talented engineers and scientists.
To read more and to find out ways to get involved, please go to More Engineers in Birmingham page.
