12 Mar 2021

Transport for Wales is hosting an online workshop for teachers and STEM Ambassadors in March as part of its South Wales Metro community engagement programme.

The session is being delivered in collaboration with Metro delivery partners Alun Griffiths, Balfour Beatty and Siemens, and will highlight the employment opportunities available to the workforce of the future, from each organisation.

This session is one of many that organisers See Science host for STEM Ambassadors and teachers to gain an insight into multiple organisations, their work, careers backgrounds and the extensive STEM outreach with schools and public audiences.  

TfW is investing three-quarters of a billion pounds to upgrade the railway lines to Aberdare, Coryton, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney and Treherbert, as part of the South Wales Metro. A number of Metro projects have been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

Building the South Wales Metro is an ambitious, multi-million-pound project, and TfW’s current plans will take around five years to complete. This includes a significant amount construction, engineering and infrastructure work to do to upgrade the rail network. TfW and its delivery partners will be electrifying around 170 km of track, upgrading all stations and signalling, and building at least five new stations.

Kelsey Barcenilla, Transport for Wales Community Engagement Officer, said: “The partnership with our Metro delivery partners and See Science aims to help deliver collaborative projects and events that embed an inclusive culture of community and youth engagement.

“TfW’s community engagement programme will help people to access mentoring and work experience, increasing access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), in the rail sector. Providing opportunities like this will in the near future, will help the economy in Wales to flourish and increase the skills within our workforce.

Lisa Mcateer, Risk Manager, Diversity, Inclusion & Community Lead at Balfour Beatty, said: “We are delighted to be part of this collaborative event working with our Core Valley Lines Transformational Project Delivery Partners, Transport for Wales and See Science. This is a wonderful opportunity to for us to reach out to and engage with our community, and to remind them of the exciting work we’re doing to improve our rail infrastructure and connect our communities.

“It’s also vital for the future of our industry that we attract, coach and nurture local talented young people to the range of exciting career opportunities and pathways available to them within the Rail industry and by doing so, grow and retain vital skills in Wales.”   

The workshop will be held 15 March between 16:00 and 17:00.

Find out how to join session and how TfW can work with your school or community in the future here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spotlight-on-stem-connecting-communities-stem-ambassadors-teachers-uk-tickets-142919531165