BAE Systems is bringing a new science, technology, engineering and maths outreach programme to Barrow.
The company has been working with Lumination, an immersive technology business based in Adelaide, to provide STEM focused lessons and camps in Australia for the last few years and now plans to bring them to the UK.
The programme, known as Beacon, uses augmented and virtual reality technology to help children aged between eight and 11 understand more about technology and encourage more children to consider STEM subjects.
BAE Systems held a successful trial session in Barrow earlier this year and is now working with Lumination to devise and deliver a UK-focused programme that will be rolled out at locations across the UK next year.
Beacon has already reached more than 2,000 children in South Australia since it started two-and-a-half years ago and the programme has been so successful, there are plans to expand it more widely across the state so more areas can benefit from the experiences.
The announcement was made during a visit by the South Australian government to BAE Systems’ Submarine Academy of Skills and Knowledge in Barrow this week.
Blair Boyer, South Australian Minister for Education, Training and Skills, said: “South Australia is spearheading the largest, most complex naval shipbuilding and defence projects in our country’s history.
“Touring Barrow-in-Furness has shown me the incredible opportunities that we have on the table to offer our young people as part of the AUKUS agreement.
“Generating the skilled workforce is the most critical aspect of this project – and the key to doing that, is encouraging STEM in primary school aged children.
“This programme makes STEM interesting and accessible for students and exposes them to career paths in which there will be significant demand. It will open the door to a number of incredible careers and it’s critical we provide our students with access to these opportunities.”
Richard Hamer, HR director for skills and education, BAE Systems, said: “Bringing the Beacon engagement activity to the Barrow area and broader areas across the UK from Australia builds on the work we’re already doing to deliver growth and help meet critical STEM skills needs.
“Using AR/VR is a great way to engage a generation that is increasingly exposed to advanced technology and we’re confident this will help to build on the success we’ve already seen in Australia.
“It will build on the more than £230 million investment we made in UK skills and education last year and demonstrates our commitment to sharing ideas globally to help address training the next generation of scientists, technologists, manufacturers and engineers as we embark on a period of growth in Barrow.”
