CA Technologies, Three and Volkswagen partnered up to try and get more young people interested in STEM careers with their Step into STEM workshop last week.
As part of CA's Create Tomorrow initiative, the day was aimed at encouraging those who wouldn't normally consider a career in technology to change their mind, showing that it's not quite as black and white as coding.
The three companies invited secondary school pupils from Langley Grammar School, Langley Academy, Lynch Hill Academy, St. Joseph's Catholic High School, Churchmead School, and Slough and Eton Business and Enterprise College to take part in the activity day, designed to showcase the sorts of jobs they couldhave should they wish to follow a STEM career path.
"Bold moves need to be made to shift young people's perceptions of STEM subjects and prepare them with 21st century skills and competencies," said Sarah Atkinson, VP of communications at CA Technologies and leader of the company's Create Tomorrow initiative.
"Europe is suffering from a massive STEM skills crisis, with the European Commission reporting that 44% of adult Europeans do not have basic digital skills, despite the fact that digital skills are now needed in almost all jobs. By holding events like this, we hope to introduce students to a wide range of STEM-based careers where they can thrive in a digital world."
Skills explored during the event, which took place at CA Tech's HQ in Ditton Park, Datchet, included learning how to code using Python, agile software development and technology marketing. The latter programme was developed in collaboration with Volkswagen, inviting students to create their own marketing plan for its compact SUV.
Pupils had the opportunity to meet employees from the three companies, who explained the paths they took to get to their positions, as well as discussing the benefits of working in STEM sectors.
The Create Tomorrow initiative aims to reach 50,000 schoolchildren by 2020.
