STEM AMBASSADORS SHARE YOUR ENTHUSIASM Attracting young engineers into the industry is essential to close the industry skills gap. The new CIBSE STEM Ambassador programme, launched by CIBSE President Adrian Catchpole, connects professionals to schools and colleges, and aims to inspire students with insights into building services. Molly Tooher-Rudd talks to three engineers who have taken up the challenge I n his Presidential address, Adrian Catchpole FCIBSE said that an additional 200-300,000 building services engineers are required to tackle the net zero agenda. The skill shortage issue isnt new, notes Catchpole, with records showing CIBSE discussions on attracting young talent dating back to 1923. The central challenge is the declining proportion of students entering the construction sector, specifically building services, despite consistent school leaver numbers. To combat this, Catchpole says there needs to be more early engagement with potential engineers in schools and colleges. Its pivotal in shaping career decisions, he says. He launched the new CIBSE STEM Ambassadors programme in May, challenging each CIBSE region to have 10 active STEM Ambassadors within 12 months. We were already doing some great stuff with our ambassador programme, but I want to turbo-boost that, he says. | VOLUNTEERS The aim is to bolster existing efforts to inspire young minds by increasing the number of ambassadors going into schools and colleges promoting building services engineering degrees and apprenticeship courses. The programme is leveraging an online portal run by STEM Learning to collaborate with schools beyond the current network. Ambassadors specify their skills and interests while schools list their needs, streamlining the matching process. STEM Learning provides a suite of training, and the CIBSE STEM ambassadors portal gives volunteers access to presentations and activities for use during school visits. Since its launch, Catchpole says the programme has garnered significant interest, with 48 new ambassadors joining in the first six weeks, and 2,809 volunteer hours logged, reaching 39,749 students across 235 schools. Its such a key part of shaping the industry, Catchpole says, urging new members to sign up. If youre passionate about building services, and enjoy what you do, then share that. Its not a major commitment. Volunteering can be very rewarding we all need to pitch in. To register, visit www.cibse.org/stem. Members are also asked to register with STEM Learning, which facilitates the registration, including DBS checks. CJ Really know your topic, because someone will always ask a detailed question; I treat this as one of the best forms of CPD Blane Judd www.cibsejournal.com September 2023 27