With the predicted expansion of millions of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) jobs in the nation, it is crucial that we align our education and workforce development systems. Human resource departments are searching for hundreds of mid-level employees, and leaders with specific skills sets. There are unfilled requests for STEM educated, dependable employees who see the benefit in team collaboration and want to continue to grow in their professional education.
STEM East looks to provide for the current regional workforce void, expand economic growth and improve our workforce development programs by looking deeper into our education and employee training systems. Students must be inspired and engaged before they enter high school courses that determine their eligibility for certificate programs, colleges or universities. STEM East looks to influence students before they become disillusioned with education and fail to see the benefit of the course work or dropout all together. Reaching students early and exposing them to the opportunities in the region is the first step to developing a robust workforce pool that will have sustainability and economic growth potential.
STEM East develops public/private partnerships to support the entire education and workforce pipeline. Partnering with private industries, government organizations, community organizations, universities and colleges allows for the development of training programs and alignment of career pathways. Students need to be exposed to all the career exploration programs and post-secondary education possibilities earlier and more often. STEM East will assist in providing venues of opportunity for higher education institutions to share programs, and advocate for more STEM related projects to be established in Eastern North Carolina.