Haringey Council today set out its plans to encourage more young people in the borough to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects and ensure they are equipped for the economy of the future.
In August the Haringey STEM Commission made its recommendations on how Haringey can put itself at the forefront of science, technology, engineering and maths education. At a Cabinet Meeting this week, the Council agreed to implement the recommendations in full and will now start work on:
• Developing and accrediting a Haringey Diploma.
• Promoting science and maths in local schools, including encouraging every school to have a link governor for STEM subjects.
• Promoting two centres of STEM teaching excellence in Tottenham and a second site in the west of the borough.
• Working with schools to appoint a dedicated Haringey STEM Co-ordinator, responsible for co-ordinating extracurricular activities across the borough.
• Identifying a partner organisation to build links between businesses and local schools and colleges and also encourage existing STEM professionals to volunteer in Haringey schools.
An estimated seventeen million UK adults have numeracy levels no better than a primary school child, and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills estimates that nearly half (43%) of STEM vacancies are hard to fill due to a skills shortage. Chaired by Baroness Morgan of Huyton, the independent STEM Commission heard evidence from MPs, businesses, experts and teachers including Andy Haldane, chief economist at the Bank of England; Sir Roger Carr, chairman of BAE Systems, Google, the NHS, the Royal Society, Siemens and BT. The Tech Partnership told the Commission that a million new recruits will be needed in the UK technology sector by 2023.
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has made skills a key part of his policy programme, and has pledged to conduct his own London-wide STEM Commission.
Cllr Claire Kober, Leader of Haringey Council said:
“Rapid technological innovation is changing our lives, the economy is evolving and the jobs we have today will look very different in the future. Haringey is fully committed to implementing all of these recommendations and ensuring children from the borough get the education they need to be at the forefront of careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.”