Semta has launched The STEM Exchange as part of the wider STEM Alliance project which brings together further education and industry, to develop a higher level of competence, confidence and collaboration in STEM teaching and learning, to inspire and equip the next generation of engineers, scientists, mathematicians and technicians with the skills to succeed.
The STEM Exchange acts as a matching service, bringing together individual teachers and tutors from colleges, private training providers and education charities involved in FE with employers within their area who have agreed to support in professional development activities.
The form these development activities take is entirely up to the employer and can be as simple as one-to-one meetings or telephone calls focused on specific subjects; through to running in-house training programmes aimed at providing up to date occupational competence.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, FSL Aerospace, Martin Manufacturing UK and JCB are among the first employers to support the STEM Exchange.
Ann Watson chief executive of Semta said: "The STEM Exchange has been born out of employer feedback about the quality and relevance of training delivered by the FE sector.
"As these key areas of the UK economy move quickly in response to changes in technology and international market pressure, those tasked with teaching new entrants can become quickly disconnected with the most recent developments.
"The effect of this can be felt in the skills gap reported by employers. The Royal Academy of Engineering reports the need for 160,000 engineers, scientists and technicians by 2020, this does not factor in the effects of an ageing workforce and international brain drain."
She added: "Employers are critical in helping those tasked with reducing this skills gap, in doing so they contribute to improving their own competiveness, economic sustainability and growth. I would urge all employers and those in FE to use The STEM Exchange to make a real difference."
Visit The STEM Exchange website or call 0845 643 9001.