The workplace must challenge perceptions and stereotypes around STEM-related industries.
That was the message from Employment and Learning Minister, Stephen Farry, at a recent Women in Leadership event.
Mr Farry said “My department’s skills strategy clearly demonstrates that our economy will require higher skill levels. For example by 2020 almost half of our workforce will need to be trained to Level 4 or above.
“We also need to invest in science technology, engineering and mathematic skills.
“We need to encourage much higher participation rates in STEM areas, across the board generally and for women in particular, with three males employed to every one female at present.”
The event, held jointly by Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Women in Business and Ulster Bank, is part of a series of Women in Leadership events.
Minister Farry expressed concern that women are not fulfilling their full potential in the workplace stating that on leaving education women have higher levels of qualifications than men but that for women aged 16-64 the economic activity rate is 66% compared he 79% for men.
“We need to ensure we maximise the opportunities for everyone in the highly skilled jobs of the future and are not undermining our own prospects for growth, by not encouraging sufficient participation from both genders,” the minister said.
The Employment and Learning Minister today also helped launch an Include Youth initiative aimed at assisting young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) entitled ‘Blow Your Socks Off.’
Blow Your Socks Off is part of Include Youth’s Give and Take Scheme which, aims to provide employability and learning opportunities to unemployed young people aged 16-21 throughout Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, an initiative has been launched to offer young people support, guidance and employment opportunities.
The objectives of Include Youth’s ‘Blow Your Socks Off’ campaign is to encourage more employers to provide work experience and mentoring opportunities so NEETs can be inspired to move into further learning or the labour market.
Employer laison at Include Youth, Neil Hutcheson, said “Gaining work experience is a core part if young people’s involvement with Inlcude Youth.”
“Many young people referred to us have little knowledge of what they want to do, but their inerest can often be sparked by a workplace tour”
“All employers can open up their premises for a tour, but some employers can do more.2
“Whether group volunteering activities, taster days or longer-term placements, young people really benefit from first-hand insight into a job.”
“As the theme of our campaign suggests, when given the right support the young people we work with have the potential to absolutely blow your socks off.”