Industry And Academia Unite For STEM Partnership

A team of industry names have joined with six schools in County Armagh to form Northern Ireland's first locally funded Enthuse Partnership- a programme to inspire young people to follow STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) career paths.

Funded by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), Craigavon Industrial Development Organisation (CIDO), Healthcare Analytics, Perspective Economics, and the Southern Health & Social Care Trust, the partnership forms part of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council's Life & Health Sciences Strategy- a commitment to working collaboratively with the sector in order to maximise economic opportunities across the borough.

The following schools have all joined the initiative:

• City of Armagh High School

• Dromore High School

• New-Bridge Integrated College

• St. Patrick’s Grammar

• St Ronan’s College

• Southern Regional College

By bringing industry and schools together, the partnership aims to develop an action plan for the next two years focusing on continuous professional development for teachers, consisting of free resources, immersive industry and university placements as well as the creation of STEM ambassadors and clubs. As well as enhancing and improving local students' achievement and engagement in STEM subjects, it will also direct attention towards the various employers in the area.
 Welcoming the Enthuse Partnership, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Julie Flaherty commented: "With a significant shortfall of skilled workers within the STEM sector and an expected increase in new STEM roles over the next ten years, businesses within the sector, locally and nationally, are struggling to recruit the right people with the right skills.

"Addressing this skills gap is so important to ensure the long-term stability of this sector and economy, which is why I am delighted to see the establishment of this Enthuse Partnership in our borough. This partnership will work towards positively impacting young people's interest, engagement and attainment in STEM subjects to ultimately help build and sustain the STEM pipeline locally and beyond."

To find out more about the Enthuse Partnership and the Life & Health Science Strategy please visit the council website.



(JG/CM)