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In October 2020, BAE Systems announced a major investment in new digital skills programmes to boost employability in Lancashire where up to 7,500 young people in Lancashire will benefit from programmes designed to enhance their digital skills.
Working in collaboration with Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), CREATE Education and InnovateHer, the new programmes aim to inspire young people about digital and tech careers to help build Lancashire’s future digital workforce, by providing online education, 3D printers and practical training for 70 schools located across the region.
Research undertaken by the LEP shows that there is a demand from employers for digital and tech skills which is projected to increase significantly over the coming years across all sectors. The research also reveals that fewer than one in six of the Lancashire digital workforce is female and that the sector is solely made up of employees aged 25 and over.
The programmes will seek to inspire young people aged 12 – 16, and as part of this CREATE Education will bring cutting edge technologies into an educational setting, providing the resources and training to empower 100 teachers to deliver classes in 3D printing – a new skillset for many students.
The programmes were officially launched at CREATE Education’s Headquarters in Chorley where the first 3D printer was handed over to Patricia Berry, Careers Leader at Parklands High School.
About the programme to be delivered by CREATE Education
Across the 2021-22 academic year, CREATE Education will engage with 50 secondary schools across Lancashire and support 3,000 young people with 3D Printing skills.
For each participating school, this fully funded and supported package of activities will include:
- An Ultimaker 2+ Connect 3D Printer, complete with software, filament, setup call and free lifetime technical support.
- A certified CPD program for 2 staff members (e.g. two teachers or one teacher & one technician), with a full day CPD training at the CREATE Education offices in Chorley.
- A school-based 3D Printing Workshop Day (including careers advice) for 60 Year 8 Students.
- Employer encounter opportunities for the 60 Year 8 students participating in the program, through video resources and live online Q&A sessions.
- An Impact evaluation and measurement program including a 3D Printing Excellence Framework to assist in whole school development planning.
- Example project and classroom resources and ongoing support.
- A fully resourced “3D Design Challenge Project” for delivery in the Summer Term 2022.
- A “Celebration Event” for a select number of schools participating in the Challenge Project which will take place in the autumn term 2022.