From business visits and networking events to policy discussions and workforce planning, one theme consistently emerges in conversations with employers across North Yorkshire: the need to attract, develop and retain future talent. Last week's Scarborough STEM Week showed exactly why those conversations matter.
Now in its seventeenth year, Scarborough STEM Week has become a well-established and highly valued event, inspiring thousands of young people while strengthening links between education and industry. This year's event welcomed more than 3,500 young people over three days, giving them the opportunity to meet employers, explore career pathways and gain hands-on insight into industries shaping the future of the coast and county.
From engineering and manufacturing to renewables, healthcare and digital technologies, the event showcased the breadth of opportunities available locally and helped bring future careers to life.
Local Business North Yorkshire Business Advisor, Carey Bilton, works closely with the STEM Week organisers throughout the year, attending planning meetings and helping to connect businesses and organisations that may be interested in getting involved. This contributes to a wide range of businesses supporting the event through sponsorship, exhibitions and interactive activities, giving young people the chance to learn more about local industries and future career opportunities.
Alongside the exhibitions and interactive activities, the Scarborough Business Ambassadors STEM Week Business Breakfast brought together employers, educators and workforce specialists to discuss how we can better engage with future talent and strengthen pathways into employment. Discussions highlighted both the challenges and opportunities facing businesses as they seek to develop the skilled workforce needed for future growth.
The celebration dinner provided an opportunity to recognise the achievements of young people through the STEM Week awards, showcasing the talent, innovation and potential that exists across the region. Seeing so many young people celebrated for their achievements was a powerful reminder of why developing future talent matters and why initiatives such as STEM Week continue to play such an important role.
For Scarborough, STEM Week is about far more than a single event. It helps young people understand the opportunities available on their doorstep, strengthens the future talent pipeline, supports business growth and reinforces the town's reputation as a place where people can develop the skills needed for rewarding careers.
Business North Yorkshire is proud to support both Scarbrough STEM Week and the wider conversations taking place around skills, careers and workforce development. Strong connections between business, education and young people will be essential if we are to create the opportunities, talent and workforce needed for future growth.
