AtkinsRéalis, a global engineering services and nuclear company, is calling on business leaders attending UKREiiF to recruit more governors for schools representing Science, Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects, as new research highlights a worrying disconnect between schools and industry.

AtkinsRéalis and education charity Governors for Schools have launched the ‘25 for 25’ campaign calling on 25 UK businesses to commit to recruiting STEM subject governors for schools in 2025.

Research* commissioned for the campaign reveals 78% of schools have no long-term, established relationships with related industries. And only a quarter (27%) of schools which responded to the survey said they have a STEM governor on the board.

The national shortage of school governors representing STEM has fuelled concerns that the skills gap in certain sectors such as construction and engineering, may hamper economic growth.

With up to 16,000 delegates expected at UKREiiF in Leeds, AtkinsRéalis and Governors for Schools are appealing to businesses to commit to enabling their employees to take up school governor roles in primary and secondary schools.

The campaign has already won support from businesses and organisations including Heathrow, the Royal Air Force and the National Grid, which has committed to placing STEM governors.

Jess Bates, UK&I Skills, Employment and Education Lead for AtkinsRéalis, said: “Businesses operating within the property and infrastructure sectors are well aware of the importance of investing in skills for the future delivery of major infrastructure projects across the UK.

“That is why we are working with Governors for Schools on the 25 for 25 campaign which we feel delegates at UKREiiF will identify with and want to support, to help shape a curriculum for the future needs of industry.

“So we are making a direct appeal to those attending UKREiiF to sign up to this pledge to strengthen ties between industry and education to recruit more STEM governors.”

AtkinsRéalis has been supporting Governors for Schools since 2022 and has placed 84 professionals as STEM governors in 142 schools. It is estimated these governors will impact a staggering 67,689 pupils this year alone.

In addition STEM Ambassadors will deliver at least 590 hours of curriculum projects in STEM Governors’ schools over the next twelve months.

Hannah Stolton, CEO at Governors for Schools, said: “Our STEM Governor programme offers a vital bridge between industry and education, enabling businesses to influence the skills agenda and support STEM learning opportunities.

“Connecting business with education has been at the heart of our charitable mission for the past 25 years, through strategically placing more than 40,000 volunteers on governing boards.

“With increased partnerships and support from STEM employers, we want to ensure all children and young people have the opportunity to pursue STEM careers.”

Aside from guest speakers and workshops the survey suggests there is little by way of curriculum advice available, with just 5% citing industry-led school governance as support.

Schools say this is fundamental as it is the role of governors to bring industry expertise into the teaching of STEM subjects, so it matches expectations of future employers in the sector. There are also real concerns among education leaders about a lack of curriculum advice or co-development in schools, where a STEM governor could be helping to bridge the gap between industry and education to improve the quality and relevance of teaching in these key subjects.

To counter some of these challenges a digital toolkit has been developed by AtkinsRéalis alongside education specialists, to place greater accountability on school leadership by providing STEM governors with the expert guidance they need to ensure STEM is embedded at a strategic level – ultimately helping each setting achieve the Gatsby Benchmarks and prepare for national pilots.

To find out more about the campaign and register interest, go to: STEM Governor – Governors for Schools