North Hertfordshire College is proud to have delivered the STEMCity initiative in partnership with three other community groups. The project aimed to improve employability, promote STEM career opportunities, develop digital and financial literacy, and upskill local people in Hertfordshire. We’re pleased to share that the collaboration has helped local people open doors to opportunities with the amazing STEM opportunities on their doorstep and created positive change in the local area.
The project was funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund (CRF), coordinated by the Hertfordshire LEP, and involved collaboration with Young Enterprise, Impactful Governance, and North Hertfordshire Minority Ethnic Forum (NHMEF).
Each delivery partner involved in the STEMCity project was responsible for delivering engaging activities that inspired and encouraged local people to upskill and consider the STEM opportunities on their doorstep. Activities involved in the STEMCity programme included:
- North Hertfordshire College and the STEM Discovery Centre running a series of interactive sessions for local young people to help them explore the exciting world of STEM;
- Young Enterprise delivering STEM-focused sessions in school, focusing on employability and entrepreneurial skills;
- North Hertfordshire Minority Ethnic Forum supporting participants from ethnic minority backgrounds to gain life skills and find work;
- Impactful Governance providing mentoring sessions, employment and job searching support, and environmental education to adults in Hertfordshire.
The project ran from November 2021 to December 2022 and aimed to reach 3,500 residents and over 100 businesses in Hertfordshire. We’re pleased to announce that, as a result of the strength of the collaboration with our delivery partners, positive progress was made towards these goals. STEMCity engaged over 2,000 individuals in building core life skills, helped over 200 people in engaging with job searches, supported 60 people in gaining new qualifications, and led to a further 60 individuals finding employment!
The initiative has also led to a positive impact on the environment. The work with local businesses has supported 15 organisations to develop a decarbonisation plan, as well as raising awareness of green skills and environmental impact.
Norman Jennings, Operations Director, Hertfordshire LEP, said: “It’s fantastic to see the positive social and environmental impact of this project and how it has benefited local communities. We are pleased to have played our part in STEMCity’s success.”
Lizzie Jones, STEMCity Project Leader and Executive Director of Corporate Services at North Hertfordshire College, said: “We were delighted to be awarded this project and to have the opportunity to work in collaboration with the other delivery partners to support young people, local residents, and businesses in Hertfordshire to gain new skills, access new job opportunities, and secure employment.”
For more information about North Hertfordshire College’s work in the local community, please visit our Values webpage.