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Skills Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Ambassadors, how they can raise the profile of our sector amongst young people and how you can become one. A PASSIONATE STEM AMBASSADOR CAN POSITIVELY IMPACTTHE SECTOR AND YOUR BUSINESS 8 www.thefis.org S TEM Ambassadors can help showcase careers in construction to young people and are an exciting free of charge resource for young learners, teachers and other individuals working with young people in and outside of the classroom. A STEM Ambassador will: • Complement excellent teaching in schools and colleges by offering a fresh and inspiring perspective to lessons and providing real-life career information. • Volunteer their time and experience to speak to young people about progressing in STEM subjects and careers through a range of activities including school presentations, mentoring and career talks. • Often provide the first introduction to the construction industry for young people, delivering a life-changing impact on their future career decisions. They are also able to illustrate what a career in STEM and in particular our sector really looks like and broaden the horizons of young people by exposing them to the vast breadth and depth of opportunities. • Share stories of their own experiences of working in STEM, showing students the steps, they need to take to get there themselves. Employers will benefit hugely from encouraging their staff to volunteer as STEM Ambassadors. They promote positive images of their sector and as mentioned above engage with and inspire a young audience that may one day become a new generation of employees. They also give something back to their communities by working with schools, colleges and youth groups to make a real difference. Go Construct As construction outputs are expected to grow, the finishes and interiors sector needs to recruit new entrants so that it can keep working. The STEM Ambassador Programme has partnered with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to facilitate the Go Construct Construction STEM Ambassador scheme. Through this collaboration, they aim to showcase the amazing career opportunities in construction and inspire young people to work in the industry. Go Construct STEM Ambassadors are construction professionals, from apprentices up to company directors, that inspire young people by sharing their experiences of how their studies led to a varied and rewarding career in the industry. The Go Construct STEM Ambassador scheme is run by CITB, on behalf of STEM and with a target of 1,700 ambassadors by 2024, the scheme could be key to altering perceptions of the industry by highlighting positive personal experiences. Current ambassadors come from a range of construction disciplines, are aged 17 and over, are at various stages of their careers and 45% of them are women. Beena Nana, FIS Head of Skills and Training