Worldly Wise, a community interest company which partners industry ambassadors with schools, received a £43,840 grant to deliver talks to young people to encourage them into STEM subjects.
Over 18 months, Worldly Wise connected 85 STEM companies with 800 pupils across 44 schools so business ambassadors could talk about their experiences in sectors including construction, crime scene investigation, health and safety, surveying, IT and more.
The scheme targeted young people, particularly young women and girls, between the ages of 11 and 18. A core feature was for professionals, most being women, sharing their career journeys and experiences during assemblies and career events in Kent schools.
STEM businesses in Kent were able to showcase the opportunities available in the region, particularly within a sector where only 28% of the workforce are women. By shifting perceptions about the industry and highlighting opportunities in Kent, these businesses can attract and recruit the future workforce needed to support the sector’s growth.
“The feedback we have received from the pupils who took part in the sessions has been first-class.”
KCC’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Special Projects, David Wimble, said: “Championing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics is crucial to ensuring our young people have the role models to inspire them into doing great things.
“The feedback we have received from the pupils who took part in the sessions has been first-class.
“With the right guidance and inspiration from good leaders, there is no limit to what our young people can achieve.”
The project started in July 2024 and was officially completed in December 2025 however there is an ambition for it to continue so more pupils can benefit from the expertise of industry leaders.
Director of Worldly Wise, Nick Inge, said: “We are hugely grateful to Kent County Council for its incredible support, which has made this programme possible.
“Thanks to our schools and industry ambassadors, we have been able to continue to inspire even more young people across Kent and show them what is possible.”
Visit www.worldly-wise.org or email info@worldly-wise.org to find out more about getting involved, either as an education provider or a business ambassador.
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