Igniting curiosity in science with incredible objects, cutting-edge science stories and hands-on activities, SMG celebrates and showcases the past, present and future of science and technology. The future of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) is in the hands of those about to step into the workforce and take it in new and exciting directions.
To mark National Careers Week (6 – 11 March), our corporate partners have shared their views on the importance of supporting early career opportunities in their workforces, as well as highlighting some of the routes offered to employees at the start of their careers.
Amazon
Throughout our history, inventing for customers has been one of Amazon’s guiding principles. Whether it’s Prime, 1-Click shopping, Prime Video, Kindle or Alexa, all have been pioneered by Amazon teams.
As we have innovated to enrich the lives of our customers, we have created hundreds of different job roles in our teams across Europe. There is a potential role for anyone across our business so that people can develop their careers and positively impact the lives of our customers.
One the routes to be a part of the teams is via our apprenticeship scheme. In 2013 Amazon launched our first apprenticeship scheme in engineering for six apprentices; 10 years later we have around 1700 apprentices across more than 40 different schemes in the UK. These placements span engineering, broadcast production, software development and project management, and provide a diverse range of schemes for those looking to re-skill or up-skill, including schemes exclusively for existing employees to further develop their careers.
At Amazon apprentices gain real-life work experience with industry leaders and have the opportunity to join internal masterclasses. There are also face-to-face apprenticeship summits, and Amazon affinity groups. They can become a member of Association of Apprentices (AoA) and network with apprentices outside the organisation, and join regional Apprenticeship Ambassador Networks to share their experiences. You can find more about apprenticeships by visiting the Institute for Apprenticeships, UCAS or Amazon Apprenticeships.
ISG
At ISG, our early careers talent is crucial in ensuring we have a pipeline of bright, capable and driven people. Our aim is to give employees the best experiences and development opportunities we can offer, helping to build the foundations of their careers and enable them to fully realise their potential.
ISG has an ongoing commitment to developing ‘Skills for Life’ through its apprenticeship programmes and was awarded ‘Gold-accredited membership last year in The 5% Club’s 2022-23 Employer Audit. The award recognises ISG’s contribution to the continued development of its employees through ‘earn and learn’ schemes, such as apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and placements.
We are proud to be a STEM Circle Member with the Science Museum and are delighted our BIM technician, Ana Yao Sun, is pioneering the next generation of technicians in the museum’s Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery – where we will launch our new skills campaign in June 2023.
ISG is also pledging £200,000 of its Apprenticeship Levy to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) create apprenticeships that invest in and provide new opportunities for local communities. ISG’s Apprenticeship Levy Pledge seeks to create a positive and sustainable legacy by addressing the skills shortages and upskilling opportunities within the built environment sector and wider. The funding will help unlock wider community potential and prosperity by helping employers to train a new apprentice or upskill and reskill their employees to apprenticeship standards.
Find out more about ISG’s Early Careers programmes.
Mathworks
At MathWorks our purpose is to change the world by accelerating the pace of discovery, innovation, development, and learning in engineering and science. We believe that every MathWorker brings a unique background and perspective to our company, and this is reflected throughout the organisation starting with our Early Careers Programme.
For Graduates, we have the Engineering Development Group. This allows employees get to explore different areas of interest whilst doing challenging work. On-the-job training includes mentoring, technical coaching, and leadership development; graduates get to grow personally and professionally in their role while building the career they want.
For current students we have our Internship Programme. MathWorks Interns are part of the team from day one: they contribute to real projects, and have a great mentor to help and support them. Our interns are able to apply their learnings from university, gain valuable work experience, and see the results of their work in industry. For those looking for part-time work whilst studying, we have our Student Ambassador Programme to serve as a link on campus between MathWorks and the student community.
Our company culture is important to us at MathWorks, as demonstrated by our recent recognition as #6 in Glassdoor Best Places to Work 2023.
Find out more about the Early Careers Programme at MathWorks.
PPG
At PPG, we are committed to encouraging children and young adults, especially women, to pursue STEM-related subjects without feeling intimidated. We take pride in our student placement scheme at the Architectural Coatings UK & Ireland head office in Birstall, West Yorkshire.
Our programme offers undergraduate university students the opportunity to work in the industry for a 12-month period as part of their ‘sandwich’ year. Since its inception in 2013, the placement scheme at Birstall has grown considerably, and we now offer positions across the company which align with various degrees, including placements in engineering, supply chain, finance, commercial, marketing, and communications.
Each role is engaging and allows students to apply the skills and knowledge gained from university to a corporate environment. During their placement year, students have the opportunity to develop and enhance their skills, and we strive to ensure that they feel comfortable and confident throughout their time with us.
Our programme has enabled many students to secure full-time employment across various business units at PPG after graduation, leading to significant progress in their respective roles and careers. We are dedicated to supporting the next generation of industry leaders and look forward to continuing to expand our student placement scheme at PPG.
Urenco
As part of the nuclear industry, Urenco offers the chance to help the world achieve net-zero goals and prevent climate change.
A passion for STEM led many, including Kathryn, one of our operations apprentices, to apply for Urenco apprenticeships and as Kathryn will tell you:– “I wouldn’t change my career for the world. It is the best decision I have made”.
All our early career opportunities align with Urenco’s commitment to nurture the next generation of scientists and engineers. This starts with our school-based Richie education programme, classroom resources, support for early-career STEM teachers, an annual student lecture and sponsorship of the Science Museum’s hand-on experience, Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery.
We’re working to bridge the gap between jobs and potential, recognising inclusion and diversity are vital for our continued success in meeting the world’s demand for sustainable energy. We look for talented people who demonstrate a keen desire to learn and then support them with mentoring, training and professional qualifications.
Internships vary from six weeks to a year and offer practical experience; apprenticeships are popular with school leavers, and like our graduate schemes, span a range of disciplines, from science and engineering within our core business to specialist support roles. We also fund international Masters-level scholarships for women pursuing a career in the nuclear field through the IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme.
Urenco careers are varied and challenging, following a successful placement we hope to offer our newest colleagues a permanent role post-qualification.
