Dr Sam Healy, Head of Corporate Responsibility, QinetiQ
As staunch supporters of STEMNET (the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network), we’re all very pleased and proud at QinetiQ that Lauren Hill, an apprentice at our Apprentice Training School at MOD Boscombe Down, recently won ‘Most Inspirational Apprentice’ at the STEMNET Awards 2013 ceremony, held at the House of Lords, and hosted by Lord Sainsbury of Turville, President of STEMNET.
By working with thousands of schools, colleges and STEM employers, STEMNET aims create opportunities to enable young people of all backgrounds and abilities to meet inspiring role models, understand real world applications of STEM subjects and experience hands-on STEM activities that motivate, inspire and bring learning and career opportunities to life.
STEM activity
The STEMNET Awards celebrate individuals and organisations committed to increasing young people’s engagement with STEM. Lauren was awarded for her commitment, enthusiasm, dedication and natural ability to communicate her excitement about working as an apprentice. As a STEM Ambassador, she regularly volunteers in schools to deliver a variety of activities, from careers talks to workshops, demonstrating to pupils the career opportunities that can come from pursuing STEM subjects and vocational career paths.
Lauren has also developed a workshop for A-level physics students, based around flight and incorporating a range of activities that can be delivered over a full day or broken down into smaller activities to be delivered by other STEM Ambassadors in different schools and classes.
Lauren said: “Winning the STEMNET Award was fantastic, and a great surprise! I got involved with QinetiQ’s STEM outreach programme in 2010, where we had the chance to interact with local schools, and I took part in presenting an engineering challenge to children. I realised how rewarding it was to inspire young people through workshops or activities and wanted to do more. I’ve since given various careers talks and workshops in local schools, the most recent being a Theory of Flight workshop, and I’m thankful to QinetiQ for supporting me throughout.”
Our STEM outreach activities are just part of our plan to encourage young people to think about QinetiQ as a great start to their career, as demonstrated by our commitment to The 5% Club. Masterminded by QinetiQ, The 5% Club is a campaign to encourage UK companies to commit to raising the number of apprentices, graduates and sponsored students on formal programmes to 5% of their total workforce, within the next five years.