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ROLLS-ROYCE SECURING A FUTURE FOR AEROSPACE THROUGH EDUCATION
Rolls-Royce is one of the most recognised brand names and the company employs 42,000 staff in 50 countries. As you would expect from a world-leading technology and services company, a lot of these people are engineers. As such, Rolls-Royce places great importance on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects and believes that promoting study in these areas is crucial to not only its own business, but the future of the aerospace sector as a whole Rolls-Royce has committed to inspiring young people to pursue rewarding STEM careers and is actively involved in a range of activities with partners in the education sector. “We believe that STEM studies are important for two principal reasons: they provide a source of exciting opportunities for young people, and they are vital for building a strong pipeline of future talent,” says Sarah Whitmore, head of Rolls-Royce talent pipeline “But we also recognise the importance of connecting STEM studies in the classroom with how STEM is applied in the world of work. We do this by encouraging better STEM teaching and a higher take-up of pupils studying technical subjects, and we’re already providing resources and finances through a range of projects.” These projects include: »» Contributing to Project Enthuse, a partnership between organisations in the research and scientific fields and the UK government. Project Enthuse works to enhance the professional development of STEM subject teachers, through Science Learning Centres in the UK. Sponsoring The Big Bang UK Young Scientist and Engineers fair that attracted over 45,000 delegates last year. »» Providing teachers and students with access to resources through its sponsored online portal Where STEM Can Take You? »» Through the Rolls-Royce science prize, the company has given over $1.2 million to more than 300 UK schools to support science education. Whitmore added, “Importantly, we are also determined to address the issue of the relatively low numbers of young women and ethnic minorities in STEM university degree programmes. We need them to help us develop a more diverse workforce and deliver some of the very best technology to the world.” Rolls-Royce has also partnered with other aerospace companies such as Airbus, Bombardier and GE which operate in the United Kingdom to launch a new initiative — the Aerospace Growth Partnership. This aims to build on the UK’s success as an aviation nation and encourage the development of skills to educate the engineers of the future. The UK is currently the second largest aerospace manufacturing operation in the world, directly employing 100,000 people and generating over $37 million for the economy. In August, thanks to both Government and industry committing nearly $5 million each, 100 bursaries were awarded to employees and graduates to study masters-level degrees in aerospace engineering. Business Minister Michael Fallon said, “The aerospace masters programme is an excellent example of Government and industry working together to keep the UK competitive as it will help us meet the urgent demand for engineers in this country. “I am particularly pleased that 19 places have gone to women — well above the average for the sector. It is essential that the aerospace industry recruits from the widest possible talent pool. “Our decision to base the Aerospace Technology Institute at Cranfield University ensures it can operate with the independence necessary to work with partners from right across industry and academia. It is well situated to serve the needs of the whole UK aerospace sector.” F.
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