QinetiQ is a significant employer of engineers and scientists and so something we are passionate about is inspiring the next generation to consider careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects. QinetiQ Employees are actively engaging with young people, giving them a chance to meet role models, helping them find out about the breadth of opportunities and introducing them to the world of work, as they think about their futures.
Working with schools near our sites from the Hebrides to Shoeburyness, our employees have developed and delivered a range of exciting activities. Robots are always popular and teams from several of our sites have run Lego Robots challenges as part of after-school science clubs as well as full day ‘robo-olympics’. Now in its fourth year, marine architects at our Haslar site have run the ‘Powerboat Challenge‘, where teams from local schools design and build radio-controlled model power boats and race them in our Ocean Basin ship tank. Pupils have enjoyed visiting our Farnborough site to see our training and simulation technology and the wind tunnel. Our volunteers are also involved in a number of national schemes such as the British Science Association’s CREST programme, mentoring teams to enter Greenpower races and Young Enterprise.
Like many companies we find this engagement benefits us too. There is the obvious opportunity for us to identify the recruits of the future as well as enabling QinetiQ employees to actively participate in their communities. And the time is also valuable for personal development in key business skills such as communication, project management and mentoring. Our Employee Volunteering scheme and STEM outreach bursary are going from strength to strength and are underpinned by STEMNET’s excellent STEM Ambassador programme.