Engineering the future; Content Coms supports initiative to inspire young people’s interest in STEM subjects

Bristol and Wiltshire based Content Coms – specialists in technology and engineering PR – will support The Wiltshire Festival of Engineering, an initiative instigated by Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan. The Festival of Engineering which takes place in September will encourage local school pupils in Years 6, 7, 8 and 9 to develop an interest in science and technology subjects at school.

The event, which is sponsored by the likes of the James Dyson Foundation and Good Energy, is intended to inspire and catalyse interest amongst young people and encourage them to consider it as a career in the future.

Content Coms will offer PR and communications support to the Festival on a pro bono basis as part of Founder and CEO Joanna Watchman’s ongoing commitment to growing skills within the UK sustainable engineering sector.

“I have spent the last 20 years encouraging companies to talk about the issues relating to skills shortages in the technology sector. This is why I am so keen to support this very important and well-timed local project. At Content Coms, we are committed to helping encourage and empower local youngsters to choose careers in this exciting area. This is essential at both a local and national level.”

A skilled homegrown future

The Festival will target young people from an early age, inspiring them to develop an interest in science, technology, engineering and manufacturing, known as STEM subjects.

Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan anticipates hundreds of local young people attending, she hopes they will be inspired by some of the fantastic businesses that exist locally.

“By enthusing young people from an early age, we hope to inspire them to develop an interest in science, manufacturing and engineering so that they might consider it as an exciting, rewarding career. The Festival of Engineering is not a silver bullet, but I hope that it can grow to become a valuable resource for career education and inspiration in the region,” she said.

Breathing life back into UK manufacturing

During the second half of the 20th century, there has been a steady decline in the importance of manufacturing as the economy of the United Kingdom shifted toward the service sector.

A stronger manufacturing and engineering economy starts at school, with the right energy, expertise and advice to encourage younger people to fill the skills gap, creating long term, local employment opportunities.

Equally, a more vibrant UK manufacturing sector contributes to a more competitive UK internationally. “With the right emphasis on low carbon manufacturing solutions, we can create lifelong employment opportunities, at local scale, and intervene on the skills crisis, climate change and work availability,” says Joanna Watchman.

The Wiltshire Festival of Engineering will take place on Wednesday 28th September 2016, at Chippenham’s Olympiad Leisure Centre.

For further information, or to get involved with the Festival and its aims, email us here at [email protected] or [email protected]