STEM Initiatives by Tech Companies in Stafford

Stafford is home to a robust cluster of engineering and technical employers that actively invest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives across the county. Through structured partnerships with local schools, colleges, and national educational charities, technical firms in the area provide funding, mentorship, and equipment to foster the next generation of engineers, technicians, and digital specialists. These programmes introduce students to real-world industrial challenges, offer direct pathways into technical careers, and help bridge the regional skills gap.

GE Vernova (Grid Solutions) Outreach

GE Vernova, which operates major electrical transmission and high-voltage grid facilities in Stafford, is one of the town’s primary drivers of STEM engagement. The company regularly sponsors and participates in educational programmes designed to encourage young people to pursue technical careers:

  • STEM Ambassador Programme: GE engineers visit primary and secondary schools across Stafford to deliver interactive lessons on renewable energy, power transmission, and electrical engineering.
  • School Design Challenges: The company sponsors design-and-build competitions, providing materials and engineering mentorship to help pupils solve practical sustainability and infrastructure problems.
  • Girls in Engineering Days: To address gender disparities in technical fields, GE hosts targeted site visits, laboratory demonstrations, and panel sessions highlighting female engineers working on Stafford's grid projects.

Perkins Engines Company Partnerships

Perkins Engines, a subsidiary of Caterpillar with a major manufacturing facility on Trent Valley Road, maintains an active community outreach framework focused on hands-on engineering education:

  • Primary Engineer Sponsorship: Perkins partners with the Primary Engineer initiative, linking its manufacturing engineers with local primary schools to deliver automotive and mechanical design projects.
  • First Lego League & Robotics: The company has provided grant funding and coaching for local school teams participating in robotics and coding tournaments.
  • Factory Tours and Work Experience: Students from Stafford schools are given structured site placements and access to advanced engine assembly lines, providing firsthand exposure to modern automated manufacturing.

Collaborations with Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG)

Stafford College, part of NSCG, works closely with technical employers in the area to align vocational courses with industry requirements:

  • T-Level Industry Placements: Engineering, computing, and digital companies across Stafford sponsor compulsory 45-day placements for T-Level students, supplying hands-on workplace training alongside classroom study.
  • Employer-Led Apprenticeship Programmes: Technical employers in electrical power systems, mechanical servicing, and software development fund advanced apprenticeships, allowing school leavers to earn credentials while working in local technical facilities.
  • Industry Advisory Boards: Engineering specialists from local firms sit on curriculum panels to ensure the workshops, robotic equipment, and software used in college laboratories match current industry standards.

Regional Competitions and Code Clubs

In addition to large corporate programmes, local technical firms support grassroots STEM clubs and events across Staffordshire:

  • Staffordshire STEM Ambassadors Network: Technical professionals across Stafford are funded by their employers to volunteer in after-school science clubs, coding groups, and career fairs.
  • Greenpower Electric Car Challenge: Several regional engineering contractors provide parts, workspace access, and technical guidance to help school teams design and race kit-built electric vehicles.