In a notable move towards supporting STEM education, CityFibre, the UK’s largest alternative network, has committed £150,000 to aid the charity STEM Learning. This funding will help enhance STEM education across the UK over the next three years. The funds will specifically support learning modules in 80 schools within the Project Gigabit footprint.
These modules include Computer Clusters, I Belong, and ENTHUSE Partnerships, each targeting different aspects of STEM education. Computer Clusters aim to deliver computer science and IT lessons. I Belong encourages girls to pursue STEM careers and learn more about available opportunities. The ENTHUSE Partnerships focus on expanding awareness and understanding of STEM subjects among young people. Additional resources for Key Stages 1 and 2 will be provided through the teaching support platform, Explorify.
“We believe in the power of technology and education to transform lives…” said Stacey King, Senior Partnership Manager at CityFibre. She emphasized CityFibre’s commitment to bridging the digital skills gap and inspiring future digital innovators through this partnership.
The telecommunications industry, like many others in the UK, faces a significant skills shortage. Nearly 20% of the current engineering workforce is expected to retire by 2028. A recent study warned that the UK might need up to one million engineers by 2030, threatening to stall infrastructure projects worth up to £542 billion.
The telecom industry is under similar pressure. According to data from TechUK, there will be a shortage of approximately 30,000 telecom engineers in the next decade. This potential shortfall is likened to “heading for a cliff edge,” signaling an urgent need for strategic interventions.
Investments like CityFibre’s emphasize the importance of preparing for this workforce gap. They demonstrate how industry partnerships can create social value and economic resilience. Furthermore, these initiatives inspire young people to consider and pursue careers in engineering and technology.
