GLAXOSmithKline (GSK), the pharmaceutical giant launched a new 10-year STEM equity initiative today (27).
The company plans to invest £6m for the programme to boost STEM career progression for young people from under-represented groups in the UK.
Over a ten-year period, it will concentrate on STEM equity-focused initiatives in the UK to address obstacles (which results in the lack of diversity in the sector) faced by youngsters from marginalised backgrounds.
For the next three years, almost 4,000 children between the ages of 11 and 25 will be selected for the programme.
The programme will target local areas with the most limited scientific infrastructure and education, namely the lowest 25 per cent of STEM “cold spot” locations as determined by the British Science Association.
Emma Walmsley, CEO, GSK said: “Despite the breath-taking pace and promise of this age of science and technology, only human talent can realise the impact these advances make possible.
“For the UK to be a leader in science and technology, we must remove barriers in STEM that limit people’s potential. That’s why GSK is very proud to announce new investment and new partnerships to boost STEM education and career progression among under-represented groups in the UK.”
GSK will work with Stemettes, STEM Learning, the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers, Covent Garden Dragon Hall Trust, and Spark!
The Office for National Statistics data was used in research commissioned by STEM Learning, which revealed notable variations in STEM GCSE and A-Level achievement and engagement by gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background.
The “STEM equity gap” gets wider as more young people enter the workforce.
With the help of financing from GSK, mentorship programme for STEM education will be expanded and scaled up in the UK.
Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, George Freeman, said: “Research shows that mentoring young people aged 11-25 from under-represented groups, where one-to-one relationships with STEM mentors who share tools and guidance to aid personal and professional development, is highly effective in supporting them through STEM education.
“Well done GSK for this £6m programme, we need more of this.”
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