An AtkinsRéalis programme promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects in UK schools and academies by placing professionals on their boards has significantly exceeded its targets one year after launch, benefiting tens of thousands of under-represented children.
AtkinsRéalis was the first organisation in the engineering and construction sector to establish a programme with Governors for Schools, a national education charity that finds, places and supports governors on school and academy boards.
Through the programme, 83 AtkinsRéalis professionals have been appointed as STEM governors in 142 schools and academy trusts – surpassing the original target of 44 set in February 2023. Over their four-year term, these governors are projected to donate nearly 26,000 hours of voluntary time, benefiting 72,000 under-represented young people, significantly exceeding the commitment to reach 18,000 learners.
AtkinsRéalis governors work with school leadership to offer strategic guidance and bring an outside perspective to curriculum delivery. This includes collaborating with AtkinsRéalis STEM ambassadors to drive improvement in how concepts such as digital and net zero fit into education. The programme prioritises placing governors in girls’ schools, schools in areas of deprivation and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) settings – working with pupils from the age of 3 to adults aged 25 in college education.
Of the 83 AtkinsRéalis governors, 40 are female and 54 are supporting schools in a high depravation area. AtkinsRéalis is targeting 150 governors by Summer 2025, with a focus on recruiting early careers governors.
Richard Robinson, AtkinsRéalis President – UK & Ireland, said: “One of the main reasons we launched this programme was to address the engineering industry’s skills and diversity challenges, with a goal to help build a sustainable and inclusive talent pipeline from the classroom through to entry-level roles and eventually major projects that will improve UK productivity.
“The AtkinsRéalis Governors for Schools initiative has already made a big impact and we believe it could be a blueprint for how our industry approaches educational outreach, improving social mobility and levelling up.”
AtkinsRéalis is engaging with other organisations in the infrastructure, engineering and technology supply chains to encourage them to establish their own STEM Governance programmes.
Jess Bates, AtkinsRéalis Skills, Employment and Education Lead said: “We are working with schools to deliver targeted education provision that makes a difference, truly integrating STEM support into the curriculum. Over their four-year term, AtkinsRéalis governors collaborate with teachers to build a stable careers programme that is informed by labour market trends and addresses the needs of each student”.
“As a STEM Governor at a SEND Trust, I have seen first-hand the lasting impact of this strategic partnership approach. Two young people are transitioning from our package of cross-curricular enrichment to work experience in our robotics and architecture teams later this year, which is testament to what sustainable and relevant educational delivery can be.”
Emma Harris, Head of Governor Recruitment at Governors for Schools said: “Working with AtkinsRéalis has been invaluable due to its role as an industry leader and focus on important issues that children can engage with, such as Net Zero. Schools are now approaching us to ask for AtkinsRéalis governors due to the holistic STEM support for pupils and staff.”
AtkinsRealis will continue to work with Governors for Schools to champion STEM Governance and create a sustainable talent pipeline to the STEM sector, working with pupils, parents and teachers to break down barriers to the careers of tomorrow.
