A scheme which encourages young people in London to get involved with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) has received a welcome four-figure donation from global financial firm Aberdeen Asset Management.
Over half of year eight and nine pupils taking part in the Engineering Development Trust’s Go4Set programme are female, encouraging a balanced workplace in industries which have in the past been criticised for their male dominance.
Research presented at the WISE Conference in late 2016 revealed that while there are an equal number of girls and boys studying STEM subjects at GCSE, only 18% of girls will continue on to A-Level. This is despite girls consistently outperforming boys in STEM subjects including further maths, physics, biology, computing and ICT. At university level, just 24% of graduates in core STEM subjects were female in 2015 – a figure which has remained consistent since 2012.
Go4Set allows both male and female school pupils an equal opportunity to work with industry mentors on environmentally-themed STEM projects over a 10-week period. The London scheme begins on April 20, 2017 with a launch event at the University of Westminster and runs until the Celebration and Assessment Day on July 14.
Danny Reed, head of development – schools programme at the Education Development Trust, says: “Go4Set gives students the opportunity to work with a mentor from industry, and this interaction gives learners a great insight into the world of STEM and the career opportunities that are possible. The students are volunteers and will participate in their own time.
“The donation that Aberdeen Asset Management has given to the Education Development Trust will enable a team of students to gain some amazing skills that will help them develop their interest in STEM, and possible pursue a fulfilling career.”
Aberdeen Asset Management’s support of the Go4Set programme links in with the company’s commitment to promoting gender equality, and to reducing the gender pay gap. As a signatory of the government’s Women in Finance Charter, Aberdeen has committed to ensuring 42-45% of its UK employees are female by 2022 – with female representation at senior management level increased to 31-33%. The company has also set a global target to ensure that 47% of its workforce are female (±2%).
Lynda Affleck of Aberdeen’s Charitable Foundation says: “It is very important to Aberdeen that both male and female pupils are given the opportunity to explore and develop a love for science, technology, engineering and maths throughout their school careers. By supporting the Education Development Trust’s Go4Set programme, we hope to help inspire a new generation of STEM professionals, who are uninhibited in their career progression and able to work in the areas they are passionate about.”
Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop the Group’s charitable giving globally. The Foundation seeks partnerships with smaller charities around the world, where funds can be seen to have a meaningful and measurable impact and the firm encourages its employees to use their time and skills to support its charitable projects. The main focus of the Foundation is around emerging markets and local communities, reflecting the desire to give back to those areas which are a key strategic focus of the business and to build on the historic pattern of giving to communities in which Aberdeen employees live and work.
For more information on the Engineering Development Trust and Go4SET, visit www.etrust.org.uk
For more information about the Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation, visit hwww.aberdeen-asset.co.uk/aam.nsf/foundation/home