Rolls-Royce set to power up science teaching in UK

Power systems company Rolls-Royce has entered into a three-year partnership with UK education charity Teach First, to help provide inspirational science teaching to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Teach First trains and supports people with leadership potential to become inspirational teachers in schools in low-income communities across the UK. The partnership with Rolls-Royce will enable Teach First to recruit and train an additional 75 science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) teachers.

Colin Smith, Rolls-Royce, director of engineering and technology, said: "Advanced manufacturing companies like Rolls-Royce offer fantastic career opportunities to people who excel in STEM subjects and it is important that these opportunities are open to children from a diverse range of backgrounds. Teach First is making significant progress in increasing the uptake of STEM subjects among young people and we are delighted to help support the great work that they do."

Brett Wigdortz, ceo of Teach First, added: "The UK economy needs 40,000 extra STEM graduates each year to fill the 104,000 graduate-level STEM jobs the economy requires. But too few students are taking up these subjects and the problem is even worse for pupils in low-income communities.

"Talented and passionate teachers are vital to solving this educational and economic challenge and we are delighted that through the support from Rolls-Royce we will be able to reach and inspire another 11,250 pupils."