Further strengthening Renishaw's existing education outreach efforts, a newly-opened STEM centre in New Mills in the Cotswolds will provide a dedicated space for local young people to visit and learn more about STEM subjects and its associated careers.
To mark International Women in Engineering Day on Friday 23 June 2023, the brand-new facility in Wotton-Under-Edge was opened by professional downhill mountain bike racer, Rachel Atherton.
After working closely with Atherton Bikes to utilise 3D-printing technology to enhance bike performance, Atherton was a key component to the innovation project within the cycling industry.
Renishaw’s established STEM outreach programmes have strong links with many primary and secondary schools in Bristol, Gloucestershire and south Wales, providing support by running sessions that complement the curriculum and add context to students’ learning.
To celebrate the opening, a group of students from Al-Ashraf Secondary School for Girls in Gloucester were invited to participate in an interactive engineering workshop at the new centre, while also taking a tour of the facility.
The STEM outreach team also attends many school career events to promote Renishaw’s early career opportunities — including work experience, apprenticeships, placement and graduate schemes — that help to provide a talent pipeline of people into the business.
Aiming to provide further opportunities to focus engagement with underrepresented groups, the new STEM centre is also part of Renishaw's commitment to the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
The engineering company hopes to continue contributing towards the goal of reducing
the proportion of young people not in employment, education or training, as
part of its wider sustainability efforts.
Early careers STEM outreach officer at Renishaw, Rebecca Bound, said: 'We know from our own student feedback that our engagements can really have an impact and we are committed to working with young people from a wide variety of different backgrounds to encourage more diversity in the engineering industry.'
