Solent Local Enterprise Partnership constructs 'Pathways to Discovery' for junior school pupils

The LEP has set up a new and innovative fund for all junior schools in the Fareham, Gosport, Havant, and Portsmouth areas to inspire young people

The Solent LEP has set up a new and innovative fund for all junior schools in the Fareham, Gosport, Havant, and Portsmouth areas to inspire young people to take up science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) related subjects, with a view to setting them up to be the pioneers of their future.

Junior schools can apply for up to £5,000 as part of supporting school children aged 7-11 to discover innovative approaches for careers pathways, making young people future-ready and equipping them to thrive in the region.

The LEP's Solent East Careers Hub focuses on inspiring young people to discover the exciting employment opportunities that are available in key sectors for the Solent such as marine/maritime, advanced manufacturing, engineering/construction and digital/technology. The LEP is passionate about ensuring that young people have access to exceptional careers information advice and guidance that is directly relevant to the local specialisms now, and in the future, so that all can prosper.

Schools may apply for funding for projects starting between 1st March and 30th June 2019, and they will need to demonstrate how the fund will support the development of STEM activities in the school and strengthen links to industry.

Rachael Randall, Solent LEP Business Director and lead for skills said: "Through the 'Pathways to Discovery' fund we are supporting and promoting STEM education, links to industry, and careers horizons, and setting young people in the Solent region on journeys of discovery to be the innovators and designers of the future. The fund could support encounters with industry, and link the curriculum to careers in as inventive a way as the schools can come up with!"

The deadline for application is Thursday 7th February 2019. To find out more please contact the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership on 023 9268 8924 or email info@solentlep.org.uk.