Ocean Infinity, the Solent-based technology company innovating to find greener and safer ways of operating at sea, opened its doors on Wednesday 25 January to girls from Oasis Mayfield and Bitterne Park School, to find out more about the different careers available in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).
Working with the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership's (LEP) Careers Hub, they invited girls from years 10 to look at their amazing facilities, which enabled students to absorb the state-of-the-art building, modern amenities, their green wall and outstanding Remote Control Centre.
Students spoke to various staff members about specific roles at Ocean Infinity and heard from each of them about their own career paths and experience. Staff gave 'hints and tips' on steps to a successful, long-term career. The message was about seeking out every opportunity and to not underestimate the networks around you, both personally and professionally.
Brooke Hoskins, LEP director and Skills Lead said: "Sadly, many girls don’t even consider careers in STEM so it's vital that businesses engage with girls through schools to profile STEM careers and for students to meet some of the women working in this sector every day. This was a perfect opportunity to highlight to secondary school students the amazing industries and careers available on their doorstep, here in the Solent region.
“The Solent LEP's Careers Hub connects businesses with schools and colleges across the Solent area and helps them ensure that their curriculum is relevant to the sector strengths of the economy, and the jobs that employers want filled. Encounters like these for pupils with innovative, technological businesses like Ocean Infinity, are key."
Colin Field, Head of Marine Remote Systems, Ocean Infinity said: “It was a pleasure to open our doors and share the innovative work being carried out at Ocean Infinity in Southampton, using technology to transform operations at sea, enabling people and the planet to thrive.
“We were impressed with the inquisitive nature of the students and hope that we have encouraged them to consider a career in STEM, by showing them how many different types of roles and skills are required in high tech companies such as ours. Ocean Infinity is always looking to the future, we are passionate about inspiring the next generation, and are grateful to the Solent Careers Hub for organising this visit.”
Girls from Oasis Mayfield and Bitterne Park School, who attended the event, said:"I'd love to work at such an interesting company."
"I showed Ocean Infinity's website to my parents last night, I definitely would love a career like that."
"Everyone was so nice, imagine your job being that cool!"
The 'open door' opportunity was to promote the different skills and careers available for mainly women in STEM. This event boosted the profile of STEM careers, the women that are working in this sector every day, and highlighted the remarkable industries and careers available to them in the Solent region.
The Solent LEP's Careers Hub work towards developing a world-class talent base in the Solent region to meet employers' needs, provide communities in the region with greater opportunities. A major part of that includes inspiring its young people, who are the potential future workforce, of the vast opportunities that exist in the Solent. They welcome any business, from any sector or industry area, who may wish to open their doors to raise awareness of their specialism.
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