Annual STEM event moves online to inspire future manufacturing talent

Get Up to Speed with STEM, Yorkshire’s largest annual employer-inspired science, technology, engineering, manufacturing (STEM) and construction careers spectacular, usually held at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham, is to launch its first-ever virtual showcase.

Organised by The work-wise Foundation and taking place from 22^nd – 26^th March 2021, Get up to Speed: The Virtual Experience, will give young people the opportunity to learn about STEM industries and the careers available within the industries over the course of a week and from the comfort of their classroom, home or office.

During the interactive event, to be held in place of the organisation’s usual annual day-long expo to maintain safe social distancing, attendees will learn about what it is really like to work in the STEM sectors. This will be achieved through virtual company tours, live exhibitor demonstrations, ask the experts Q&A’s, competitions and presentations and panel discussions from businesses, inventors, apprentices and education providers within the industry.

The Get up to Speed event will become a virtual event in 2021 as it continues to give young people the opportunity to learn about STEM industries and the careers available / Picture: Get Up To Speed

John Barber, CEO of the work-wise Foundation and Chair of the Get up to Speed Steering Group, said: “Young people have had a lot of restrictions placed on them this year, due to Covid-19 and we wanted to make sure they could still benefit from a real life experience of working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing. We’re thrilled to be introducing a week’s worth of virtual activities, hosted in conjunction with dozens of employers. We’re confident that Get up to Speed 2021 will be just as exciting as it has always been.”

Sponsored by Liberty Speciality Steels, CBE+ and AESSEAL, Get up to Speed: The Virtual Experience will also support learning in schools by linking the curriculum with real life experiences. This will allow young people to explore the diverse range of career opportunities available in an engaging and interactive way, whilst contributing towards levels 2-7 of the Gatsby Benchmarks; a framework of guidelines that define the best careers provision in secondary schools.

Over the past 10 years, Get up to Speed, which is championed by employers and delivered through The work-wise Foundation alongside key partners in the private and public sectors, has showcased engineering career opportunities to over 19,000 young people and their families from across the South Yorkshire region and beyond. The event also gives companies the opportunity to showcase their business whilst helping to address the skills gap in STEM-related industries.

All schools or young people taking part will be required to register in advance. By doing so they will be allocated a unique code which will provide access to all planned events, as well as activity workbooks for each attendee. All workshops, tours and seminars will then be available to access for 4 weeks following the event to provide ample time for each student or young person to complete the course.

Get up to Speed with STEM 2021 is open to young people, families, individuals, schools and employers. For more details and to register, go to www.getuptospeed.org.uk.