£5.7m EU funds to encourage STEM take-up in Wales

The Welsh Government has received £5.7 million of EU funding to encourage young people to take up Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects at GCSE level.

The £8.2m Trio Sci Cymru project, which has been established with the EU funding and £2.5m from the Welsh Government’s National Science Academy, will help to increase take up and grades in STEM subjects among young people living in West and North Wales and the South Wales Valleys.

More than 5,600 young people aged 11 to 19 from 30 schools will be encouraged to study STEM subjects – in particular triple Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) – at GCSE level and beyond, helping to create a skilled workforce and a prosperous economy.

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: “Technology is moving at an increasing pace and for Wales to capitalise on this change we need a skilled workforce. This EU investment will help stimulate interest in these core subjects, encouraging take up and in turn growing the Welsh economy.”

Eluned Morgan, Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, added: “We know STEM subjects are essential to the technological, social and economic future of Wales. This investment will encourage our young people to pursue these subjects at GCSE level, helping them to build careers that are rewarding, fulfilling and well paid.”

Interest and participation in STEM learning will be stimulated through innovative outreach activities outside the formal education system. Activities will include interactive hands-on experiments, roadshows and awareness about STEM-related careers, equipping young people with the skills and knowledge about options available in the sector.

Trio Sci Cymru is led by the Welsh Government’s National Science Academy, in collaboration with the Institute of Physics and Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Bangor universities.