Translated with DeepL
Quality, costs and dissemination of programmes
NGOs, foundations and non-profit organisations are passionately committed to promoting young STEM talent. However, the large number of school and extracurricular programmes often makes it difficult for parents and teachers to maintain an overview. Here are four key measures that can improve the quality and accessibility of these programmes:
- Quality assurance: STEM stakeholders should commit to offering high-quality content that is technically sound, didactically well-prepared and inclusive. Closer collaboration with research institutions could help to develop effective evaluation methods and ensure the quality of the programmes.
- More leisure activities: In some regions, there are hardly any STEM programmes outside of school - this needs to change. More programmes should be created, especially during holiday periods.
- Involve families: Parents play a crucial role in promoting STEM for their children. Programmes should be designed in such a way that they involve parents in order to reduce possible reservations about STEM.
- Reduce costs for STEM leisure activities: Closer cooperation with social institutions such as social centres or initiatives such as the Kulturlegi make it easier for low-income and/or non-STEM target groups to access STEM projects.
More women as role models
Women are still underrepresented in STEM professions. Targeted measures are needed to change this:
- More female role models: Girls need inspiration. Successful women in STEM professions should be made more visible through public events, school projects or mentoring programmes.
- Targeted support: To get more girls interested in STEM, certain time slots in courses could be reserved exclusively for them, for example, or registration quotas could be created.
The economy can invest smarter
The shortage of STEM specialists has long been a reality. Companies should therefore become even more involved in promoting young talent - in a targeted and strategic manner:
- Financial support for STEM projects: Companies can have a direct impact through sponsorship or partnerships with STEM organisations. Taster days and apprenticeships in the IT sector in particular should be expanded.
- Better networking of stakeholders: Business organisations often know too little about existing STEM support measures. A better exchange between companies, educational stakeholders, associations and the Organisation of the World of Work (OdA) is urgently needed.
- Dismantle gender stereotypes: The media and advertising characterise our perception of professions. Companies should actively work on portraying STEM professions in a more diverse way - be it in campaigns or through role models.
Cultural change in companies: New work, diversity and inclusion
In addition to promoting young talent, the corporate culture must also change. This includes:
- Fair wages and flexible working models to make STEM professions more attractive.
- Better support for retraining and re-entry opportunities (upskilling and reskilling) to attract more people to STEM professions.
- More diversity and inclusion: measures such as safe spaces, mentoring and anti-discrimination programmes help to retain women and other underrepresented groups in STEM professions.
Working together for a strong STEM future
Civil society and business have different but complementary roles in STEM promotion. While NGOs and foundations excel with innovative educational programmes, companies can achieve long-term impact with resources, networks and structural changes. The future of STEM industries depends on our ability to nurture talent early - and give them the opportunities they deserve.
Read more about this in the study on promoting young talent and increasing the proportion of women in STEM professions.
