Food for thought: got an industry Ambassador on your team?
The demand for STEM skills in the Scottish food & drink industry has reached a critical point.
From existing businesses to vertical farming and alternative sources of protein to 3D food printing and digital innovation, we need to invest in future skills and engage young people with the career opportunities offered by science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills.
STEM Ambassadors are volunteers from a wide range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related jobs and disciplines across the UK. They offer their time and enthusiasm to help bring STEM subjects to life and promote STEM careers.
Can your business offer a hand to deliver a world-leading STEM education, and in turn benefit from inspiring young people and building a pipeline of talent in our industry?
Look inside your business and identify an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team member who could become an Ambassador. Someone who can inspire the next generation of STEM professionals. It’s about supporting learning, illuminating careers, and raising aspirations.
The Scotland Food & Drink Partnership is working with STEM Ambassadors in Scotland to develop a network of food & drink STEM Ambassadors to inspire the next generation and make food and drink a career destination of choice
By engaging with the Food and Drink STEM Ambassador programme as an employer, you can make a real difference to young people's perception of STEM subjects and careers while providing professional learning and development opportunities for your staff.
And feedback shows that STEM Ambassadors increase their job satisfaction and knowledge, as well as confidence and communication skills.
Benefits include:
engaging directly with your local community to raise awareness of your business
supporting your future talent pipeline and recruitment
providing direct support to STEM teachers to make connections between subjects and the skills required by employers
providing specific and sectoral careers information to young people and their influencers
engaging and developing your staff
engaging the media regionally and nationally
promoting apprentice roles directly to schools and colleges
And there is help out there through the whole process. STEM Ambassadors in Scotland offers your Ambassadors:
free training and support to enhance their volunteering, both online and face-to-face
easy access to volunteering opportunities through the STEM Learning Hub
access to resources suitable for all ages
a free enhanced PVG check, safeguarding training and cover by the programme’s public liability insurance
In addition, The Scotland Food & Drink Skills Partnership team can provide resources and support particularly relevant to the food & drink industry.
Thought of the very person? Register online by going to the STEM Ambassador site and selecting “STEM Ambassador”.
Complete your profile, making sure you join the Scottish Food and Drink Ambassadors Scheme.
To find out more, go to STEM Ambassadors or get in touch here.