A new pilot STEM Education Programme from Mabey Hire has secured a massive boost with strong support from the construction industry.

The 16-week course aims to inspire young children to study STEM subjects and consider careers in civil engineering. LEGO® Education materials are utilised in the scheme, becoming one of the first UK civil engineering focused programmes to do so.

The programme, aimed at school children aged 10-13, helps students improve their awareness and perceptions of the engineering and construction sectors, by giving them the opportunity to learn basic engineering principles in a hands-on, fun and engaging way. The tasks cover mathematical challenges and nine different engineering activities including beam balance, freewheeler, power car, gear racer, tower crane, robot arm, scissor lift, watch tower and bridge. To consolidate the learning, a bespoke 'mission mat' has been created - a visual learning tool which encourages students to apply learning and problem solving to achieve an end goal.

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Students will also engage in the programme through Virtual Reality (VR), in which, through VR headsets, they will explore iconic structures while learning the statistics and facts that have contributed to their construction.

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure is the first company to partner with Mabey Hire on the scheme, beginning with Northlands Primary School, located near the firm's head office in Rugby.

Alison Chippington, Infrastructure's Head of Work Winning at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said: "It was in conversation with our supplier Mabey Hire that we first heard about this innovative education scheme. Seeing the potential, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure has been delighted to support the scheme in its first pilot in the industry – we are committed to inspiring the workforce of the future and addressing the industry's skill shortage and this programme does just that."

Gordon MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer, Mabey Hire added: "One of Mabey Hire's key strengths is its engineering expertise and we know how varied, fascinating and rewarding a career in engineering can be. With 1.8 million engineers needed in the UK by 2025, we take our responsibility for encouraging the next generation of engineers seriously, which is why we have built this programme to inspire and engage children to consider a career in engineering, no matter what their current understanding of the subject is."

(CM/MH)