Agreement signed to reduce region’s STEM skills gap

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, signed an agreement with the Science and Industry Museum to work together on reducing the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills gap in the region, in line with the GMCA’s Local Industrial Strategy.

The agreement was signed by both Andy Burnham and Dame Mary Archer, Chair of the Science Museum Group, as part of a commitment to further engage young people with STEM subjects.

Andy Burnham said of the agreement:

We are committed to making Greater Manchester a world-leading city for STEM to help give our residents the best life chances possible.

“This agreement will help us increase the STEM talent pipeline in Greater and create a diverse, highly-skilled and agile workforce. This in turn will increase life chances for what is our greatest asset – the people of Greater Manchester.

“I am looking forward to working closely with the Science and Industry Museum on this exciting opportunity.”

The Local Industrial Strategy outlines the need to bridge the STEM skills gap to support growth sectors in the region, such as digital and creative, health innovation and advanced manufacturing.

Science and Industry Museum Director, Sally Macdonald, spoke at the Celebrating STEM event where the agreement was signed. She said:

Already attracting over 85,000 schoolchildren per year, we are committed to further increasing the number of learners coming through our doors, building confidence in science and engineering while developing new skills.

“In Manchester we have more than 1,200 STEM Ambassador volunteers, across Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths giving up their time to inspire and engage young people with STEM subjects and careers. Manchester has a large digital, construction and health infrastructure so recruiting young people with these skills is vital to the future of our economy and growth as a city.  We look forward to delivering STEM skills collaboratively and in a truly engaging way with the GMCA over the coming years.”

As well as working with the museum and young people, GMCA plan an employer-led approach to tackle STEM skills gaps in priority areas now, and to avoid shortfall in the future.

Image: L-R: Sally Macdonald, Science and Industry Museum Director; Dame Mary Archer, Chair of the Science Museum Group; Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester; Councillor Sean Field, GMCA Lead for Employment and Skills and Leader of Oldham Borough Council.