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MP-Futures and BSA partnership for CREST Awards

MP-Futures and British Science Association sign partnership

Partnership initiative aims to ensure early engagement with mineral product industry’s future workforce

A PARTNERSHIP agreement between the British Science Association (BSA) and MP-Futures – the standards-setting organization for the extractives and mineral products sector – structuring the development of CREST (CREativity in Science and Technology) projects was put in place on 29 January 2014, with the support of industry representatives.

In existence for more than 25 years and the largest national award scheme in Britain, the British Science Association’s CREST Awards focus on projects within the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths).

 

With more than 30,000 inspired young people involved in the scheme and achieving a CREST Award within the previous year alone, during the 2011/12 academic year more than 310 schools were recognized by the BSA for their active participation within the scheme, which focuses on fun, teamwork, communication, creativity and problem-solving skills.

The emphasis behind the projects is to provide students with a practical insight into areas and businesses they will often not encounter, serving to provide a foundation in raising their awareness of different career paths and opportunities available to them, as well as promoting their individual development, interest and engagement with alternative industries.

The project with MP-Futures will focus on the Discovery, Bronze and Silver Awards, primarily aimed at the 11–16-year-old age group, with time required to complete the awards ranging from one day for the Discovery Award to around 30 hours for the Silver Award.

Anthony Elgey, manager of MP-Futures, said: ‘This is an exiting development and opportunity. As the project advances we will be providing schoolchildren with a fun yet interesting and engaging insight into the industry we are all proud to be apart of, ensuring its future growth and sustainability.’

Full support from the Mineral Products Qualifications Council board has been provided for the scheme, with the initiative being seen as having a long-term goal, by ensuring early engagement with the industry’s future workforce.

It has been confirmed that the next steps in taking the scheme forward will be the creation of a pilot project at Discovery Award level. An all-encompassing, inclusive and representative industry working group will be being assembled, consisting of majors, SMEs and independents.

Once finalized, the focus of the pilot project will be communicated through the British Science Association’s well-established network, comprising 31 branches, 5,000 volunteers and around 2,000,000 people who are actively participating and engaged with the BSA.

Anyone wishing to contribute or requiring further information should contact Anthony Elgey of MP-Futures on tel: (07825) 294009; or email: Anthony.Elgey@mp-qc.co.uk

 

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