STEM. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) :Enriching Life in Fife. Fife STEM Strategy Summary. Fife STEM Strategy Summary 1

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1 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) :Enriching Life in Fife Fife STEM Strategy Summary Fife STEM Strategy Summary 1

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3 Contents 1 Background 5 2 Fife STEM Strategy 7 What is a STEM Strategy? 7 Background and Context Employer Role: Engagement and Partnering Education Partners Role STEM in the Fife and Wider Economy The Fife Economy in What are Fife s STEM Industries? STEM and the Scottish Economy STEM Globally 11 3 STEM Enriching Lives in Fife: Moving Ahead 13 Outcomes Based Approach 13 Fife STEM Strategy Summary 3

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5 1 Background In as a result of the continuing demands upon the then Carnegie College, from Fife employers for STEM Modern Apprenticeships the College decided to take a lead role in driving forward a STEM Strategy for Fife. Early discussions with Community Planning Partners during 2011, including other college and university partners attracted a positive response and so the approval of the Community Planning Partnership was sought: To establish a public sector STEM Strategy Steering Group To consult with employers on the value and merit of a Fife STEM Strategy To deliver a STEM Strategy to Fife Partnership for approval, by August A college led STEM Steering Group was formed and gained huge commitment and drive by partners: Fife Council, SDS, JCP, St Andrews University, Dundee Science Centre, SSERC. Within 9 months a STEM Strategy document and action plan was consulted upon, developed, and approved by Fife Partnership. In 2013 the colleges in Fife merged to create Fife College and the STEM Strategy has now attracted a further importance in Fife as the College plans to develop Scotland s first STEM School in the Levenmouth area. This new schoolcollege campus will result from the merging of four previous campuses- 2 secondary schools and two local college campuses, to allow the creation of an exciting STEM campus, with a focus on the development of innovative Modern Apprentice and vocational pathways for local people. The STEM Strategy is a 5 Year Plan with four key themes. Robust, yet dynamic partnerships that provide leadership for change across all areas of STEM. Employers engaged to identify current and future needs as part of Workforce planning for growth and innovation in STEM industries. Consequently, in March 2013 the Fife Partnership supported and endorsed the official launch of the Fife STEM Strategy, a strategy that has now become integrated into many policy and strategy documents within the Fife Partnership. Partnership and Leadership Workforce Planning The leadership by the college has enabled partners to conduct early analysis of many of the issues now identified, and recommended within the Developing Scotland s Young Workforce Interim Report. A parallel review of the Fife Community Planning reporting structures logically concluded that the STEM Strategy should be a sub-set of the Opportunities Fife Strategy, the body which attends to strategy development and the delivery of our Employability Pathway for Fife. STEM has consequently become a key feature in Fife employability discussions. The STEM Strategy is now influencing decisions, processes and practice across Fife and has gained the interest and enthusiasm of employers, through which Fife Council and the new Fife College are planning the roll-out of a communications campaign and awareness raising of the Opportunities Fife Strategy and the STEM strategy as a tool to support SMEs in recruiting high quality applicants, with optimum public sector support for the delivery of STEM MAs. The main focus to date has been energy and renewable related careers, with a current focus upon the increasing demands of advanced manufacturing employers who commonly have growing skills gaps and lack capacity for CNC tooling. Employers in the engineering sector are generally working with public sector partners to find innovative models through which we can efficiently progress young people from school, through college, to productive employment, with minimum loss of time. Culture and Awareness Promotion and development of culture change through awareness of STEM and improvement in science literacy. STEM Curriculum A well developed curriculum relevant to STEM delivering transferable skills, knowledge, and progression pathways. The following extract of the STEM Strategy: Enriching Life in Fife is included below. Full documentation is available on request. Taking an outcomes based approach we aligned the outcomes with the Single Outcome Agreement and the Regional Outcome of the College. Fife STEM Strategy Summary 5

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7 2 Fife STEM Strategy What is a STEM Strategy? It is a coherent strategic approach, driven by industry, to ensure that the education and skills delivered within Fife is able to drive forward growth and success within science, technology, engineering and maths related industries. The end product that we in Fife want to achieve is a joined up and effective education and skills pathway into important science and technology careers, directed through better understanding jobs of the future, and putting in place the infrastructure to achieve this. This will be far-reaching in that it will direct educational policy on pupil/student subject opportunities, advice and guidance, curriculum design, and delivery. It will enable parents in Fife to understand and support their offspring make the best subject choices for their studies. This alone involves a number of key partners, local and national. Our aim therefore is to create high volumes of young people exiting secondary and tertiary education with skills and learning suitable to growing a successful, enterprising and exciting economy in Fife. We will take fuller advantage of and develop the relationship between schools, colleges and universities ensuring that the same STEM messages are given consistently. The STEM Strategy, and the leadership of this as a Scottish Region aims to strengthen the economic position of Fife within the Scottish economy, as well as nationally. Without such a coherent, managed approach we will continue to implement ad-hoc actions not necessarily meeting industry or economy needs. Consequently we may not make best use of public finances, and if other regions succeed in a similar approach we, and our Fife employers will lose economic opportunities. Background and Context Fife Partnership aims to be the first Community Planning Partnership in Scotland to establish and implement a strong, coherent STEM Strategy that is industry led, tied to the Community Plan and Economy Strategy and involves STEM Skills and Education providers and can deliver an exciting future for Fife s economies and communities. The Community Plan presents a vision for Fife in 2020 in which Our vision is to strengthen Fife s future to make Fife a great place to live, work, visit and invest. The STEM Strategy will build upon and deliver the three high level outcomes of the Fife Community Plan High Level Outcome Reducing inequalities Long Term Outcome Making Fife s communities safer Meeting the need for suitable housing choices Reducing low income households Increasing the capability of Fifers to take action and make a difference to their communities. Strengthening communities through regeneration. Raising educational attainment and reducing educational inequality Improving early years development of children in Fife. Improving the health of Fifers and narrowing the health inequality gap It is our aim that Fife becomes a beacon of excellence in getting more people into sciences and engineering, growing indigenous companies and attracting big international engineering companies. New innovations, in products and services would generate economic wealth and the status of Fife. If well managed, coordinated and implemented with the engagement of the correct agencies we will better address inequalities, and gender imbalance. Policies already in existence and well implemented in Fife for the removal of deprivation and disadvantage will continue to be important and can be integrated into this work, and resourced appropriately. Increasing employment Tackling climate change Extending employment and skills opportunities More dynamic businesses Developing a modern business infrastructure Improving the knowledge and research base Growing businesses and employment in key sectors (including investment in renewables and tourism) Adapting to climate change Reducing carbon emissions (including reducing energy use, more sustainable transport and less waste) In delivering an inclusive STEM Strategy for Fife partners aim to address issues of inequality resulting from geography, tradition, stereotyping or any externally imposed barriers or restrictions upon an individual s or communities aspirations for engagement. Fife STEM Strategy Summary 7

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9 2.1 Employer Role: Engagement and Partnering Fife employers have been consulted and are universally supportive of a STEM Strategy for Fife. The strategy can inform employers of key developments in Fife, and can stimulate a response to the key priorities of our local industries. The role of the employer in supporting culture change in Fife cannot be understated, and gives relevance and credibility to the work of public sector partners in delivering a joint STEM strategy. 2.2 Education Partners Role Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education is a key priority, just as it is for the Scottish Government s Skills for Scotland agenda, and the school curriculum under Curriculum for Excellence. Science and engineering are the cornerstones of a successful, sustainable economy and it is therefore essential that children and young people understand the importance of science and engineering, both for the development of skills for learning, life and work and for the contribution that science and engineering make to the economy and society. Partners in the Education Service, and within the Post 16 sector are key players in the delivery of a coherent progressive strategic plan for STEM. 2.3 STEM in the Fife and Wider Economy The Fife Economy in 2012 Against a difficult national backdrop the Fife economy has remained competitive and offers strong employment opportunities in some sectors. In this regard business attracted into Fife continues to place pressure on the acquisition of skills in the science and technology area, specifically to date: The Forth Crossing Project The Aircraft Carrier Project Amazon Samsung Bi-Fab and SSE developments These developments give an indication of the possibilities for Fife as a leader in science, and technology industries, and encouragement for a coherent strategic approach to the harnessing of such opportunities. Sustainable Success: A 2020 Scenario Over the next few years we anticipate a low rate of economic growth as a result of the recession. However, the revised Strategy also looks at developing long term economic stability and strength from new opportunities. Solidarity and Cohesion - Around 44,000 people in Fife are income deprived the fourth highest of any local authority in Scotland. A centre of excellence for renewable energy Fife s strengths in providing an excellent business environment for renewable energy manufacturing, research and services have led to the region becoming a leader in renewable energy. Extracted from Fife Economy Strategy What are Fife s STEM Industries? No robust analysis exists at this time for analysis by the group and it may mes an early priority of the Fife STEM Strategy. The following list gives an indication of major employment sectors in The health sector: (therapists, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, midwives, theatre staff, paramedics) Engineering/ electrical/mechanical/ systems/renewables ICT and technology Construction/ civil engineers Research and Development Energy professionals Users of data, data management Food and drink industry Leisure and tourism There are well established manufacturing companies in Fife; long-standing employers with an excellent reputation for high quality employment opportunities and good engagement within the community, examples include Shell, Exxon, FMC, Babcock, Raytheon, Tullis Russell and many others. Some of the challenges facing Fife as similar to those faced nationally, for example the attraction to the high salaries and volume opportunities in the oil and gas industry make it difficult for other STEM industries to compete on salaries for high quality skilled and qualified people. The lack of STEM university places within Fife, for Fife residents, causes high volumes of Fife school leavers to leave our region for their tertiary education, following which these individuals may not choose to return to Fife for employment and living opportunities. This is exacerbated by our proximity to large science and technology parks in both Edinburgh and Dundee City Regions. We must consider how we can support Fife employers take advantage from this situation, and compete for the best people, and economic opportunities. Fife STEM Strategy Summary 9

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11 2.3.3 STEM and the Scottish Economy Fife sits within an ever changing Scottish economy in which service industries have been adapting significantly in recent years, public sector budgets are reducing, and these trends are likely to continue. In this context, the growth and development of high GVA jobs such as STEM careers is critical to Scottish people, the Scottish economy, and the vibrancy and sustainability of our country STEM Globally The STEM partners have aspirations that pursuit of STEM qualifications, experience and career opportunities will provide excellent access for our future generations to local, national and global career opportunities. Partners will consider STEM supporting jobs outside Fife: Chemical industry, Scotland Oil and Gas industry Life Science developments Scottish/UK Renewables Fife hosts many international companies headquartered across the globe. The STEM strategy aspires the best for Fife young people and promotes mobility, entrepreneurialism and ambition as fundamental components of its approach. The strategy is designed to encourage and support a national and international approach and would not place barriers in the way of learners wishing to travel or relocate. Fife STEM Strategy Summary 11

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13 3 STEM Enriching Lives in Fife: Moving Ahead Outcomes Based Approach To promote effective leadership from industry via the FEP, engaging industry in identifying needs from public sector partners. To promote and support effective communication exchanges from the STEM Strategy Group to industry networks, locally, nationally and internationally. Establishing strong STEM Strategy Partnership and identify reporting and monitoring lines. To engage with industry in identifying infrastructure developments to promote further STEM investment in Fife. Robust, yet dynamic partnerships that provide leadership for change across all areas of STEM. 1 2 Employers engaged to identify current and future needs as part of Workforce planning for growth and innovation in STEM industries. Fife people engage actively with science, technology, maths and engineering (STEM) and enjoy the benefits and opportunities generated through successful STEM businesses. Promotion and development of culture-change through awareness of STEM, and improvement in science literacy. 3 4 A well developed curriculum relevant to STEM delivering transferable skills, knowledge, and progression pathways. Address gender imbalances in STEM careers and education/skills pathways. CfE partnering for development of practical engagement and transferable skill development by learners. Targeting and improving access to STEM opportunities. Development of a coherent suite of technical, vocational and academic pathways. High Level Outcome (10 years from now) Intermediate Outcomes (3-5 years from now) Immediate Activities ( ) Extract from Fife STEM Strategy: Enriching Life in Fife, 2012 Full document available from janetmcauslin@fife.ac.uk, Chair of STEM Strategy Group Fife STEM Strategy Summary 13

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