A partnership between Scotland’s digital tech trade body and a leading supplier will help support a group of students pursuing STEM careers.
ScotlandIS and Telefónica Tech UK&I will work together on the second year of a scholarship programmed aimed at bridging the skills gap faced by the tech sector.
Two cohorts of students with an interest in pursuing STEM careers will benefit from support to help them secure their National 5 and Higher Maths qualifications.
Delivered by The Education Academy Scotland, a tutoring school and an SQA approved centre, the scholarship will see another 12 scholars from Glasgow and West Scotland receive support in attaining their National 5 Maths qualification.
Additionally, scholars from the 2024 cohort will continue to be supported through their Higher Maths qualification following a successful first year.
In an attempt to reach young people outside Glasgow and Edinburgh, ScotlandIS will also be launching a new series of online masterclasses in maths and physics. The masterclasses will run monthly, with 30 places available for students living in more rural parts of Scotland.
Following exam results in August 2024, ScotlandIS and The Education Academy Scotland reported a 100% pass rate on the final exam, noting all scholars across the cohort improved their grade in National 5 Maths with an average upturn of over two grade bands.
As was the case last year, ScotlandIS Scholars who complete the programme will have the opportunity to be fast tracked into further education and will be offered a place on a relevant course at either Glasgow Clyde College, City of Glasgow College or West College Scotland. Courses accessible through the scholarship include NCs, NQs and HNDs in a variety of topics ranging from cyber security and software engineering to esports and computer game design.
ScotlandIS CEO, Karen Meechan, said: “A growing skills gap is one of the most significant challenges facing the Scottish technology industry today. It is one of the biggest factors restricting growth in the sector and, as international competition continues to increase, Scotland faces the prospect of being left behind in the pursuit of growth. With technology developing so rapidly, we simply cannot afford to fall behind at this crucial stage.
“All too often, solving this issue is spoken about in purely theoretical terms but, the truth is, direct and practical action is vital. By engaging children early enough in their education we can help cultivate and inspire the next generation of Scottish tech talent. I hope other businesses will see the impact of these initiatives and feel encouraged to invest in similar programmes.”
Steven Brown, global director of business applications at Telefónica Tech, said: “We are proud to be partnering with ScotlandIS to fund the next round of its scholarship. Education has always been a key focus for us and initiatives like this are essential to building the foundation to a more inclusive and innovative future for Scottish tech.”