Over 400 Camden students take part in STEAM work experience week
Last week, hundreds of Year 12 students from across Camden's secondary schools and colleges gained invaluable work experience at some of the world’s leading companies.
This year's work experience week was the most successful yet, with 450 students enjoying placements at a range of organisations including Google, UCL and Arup.
Organised by Camden Learning's STEAM team, the work experience programme aims to provide local students with hands-on experience at a range of top science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) employers across the borough. By linking students directly with industry leaders, the programme aims to inspire and equip the next generation with the practical knowledge and confidence needed to thrive in these critical sectors.
We want to give our young people the very best start in life, ensuring that they have the tools they need to succeed in the future.
Camden STEAM's work experience programme is a brilliant way of connecting students to the many world-leading companies we have right here on our doorstep. They get the chance to build confidence and develop practical skills they can take with them throughout their life.
During the week, students were placed across the borough at different organisations including Camden Council services, AutogenAI, Phoenix Court, UCL and more.
Google hosted over one hundred young people for the sixth year at their headquarters in King's Cross, giving students the chance to work closely with staff mentors and on a fascinating marketing challenge for Google Pixel.
Council services established authentic challenges for young people, with students building phone-based apps in the Digital service, creating a film and media campaign on HPV vaccines for the Health and Wellbeing service, and conducting a mock trial with the Legal team.
UCL Biomedical Sciences provided students with an incredible opportunity to explore the role of research scientists with activities such as studying 3D images of a mouse brain, using a microscopy to study green fluorescent protein found in jellyfish, and writing their own research proposals on the genetic modification of mosquitoes to combat malaria.
Baroness Dinah Caine, Chair of Camden STEAM, shared:
“A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this programme such a great success. To the dedicated career leads and teachers who encouraged students to sign up and helped them prepare for these invaluable placements; to the employers for their commitment to designing and delivering such diverse and impactful work experience placements for many students; and to partners Speakers for Schools, who provided essential support in the administration of the week. This transformative programme makes a huge difference to so many young people in Camden.”
Whilst young people gained key skills needed to help them in a future career, companies also saw significant benefits from the programme.
Dan Gavan, Head of Operations at the architectural firm Piercy&Company, said:
“As a business, this work experience programme opens our doors to the local community, helping us to connect to and identify future talent. We can prove to our clients that we are a responsible company taking the steps to improve accessibility and equitability by nurturing the next generation of architects right here in the borough.”
With the support of Camden businesses, institutions and schools, Camden STEAM continues to break barriers, preparing Camden's diverse youth for the careers of tomorrow.
A total of 26 employer teams participated in the STEAM Work Experience programme: AutogenAI, Arup, Bennetts Associates, British Land, British Library, Camden Council Inclusive Economy Service, Camden Council Digital and Data Services, Camden Culture Service (Universal Music, Old Diorama, ODAC), Camden Council Legal, Camden Council Health and Wellbeing, Google, Labtech, Phoenix Court, Models 1, Moonbug Entertainment, Piercy&Company, PineBridge, Roundhouse, SCS Railways, St George PLC, UCL Life Sciences, UCL Medical Sciences, Wates, The Francis Crick Institute.
Camden businesses are invited to partner with Camden STEAM for next year's STEAM work experience programme. Reach out to them on steampledge@camden.gov.uk to get involved.