STEER Support and Mentoring

In association with:

The ‘skills shortage’ is term that is familiar in the built environment and construction industry. Supported by the UK Government initiatives, in the last five years focus has been given to encouraging young people (pre-19) to choose subjects in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM). The results are that more young people are engaged with STEM subjects and a greater, and more diverse number of them are choosing undergraduate degrees in the built environment.

However, figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show that of those that enrol on an undergraduate built environment degree, only about 32% emerge with an award, and of these only 35% are still in the industry six months after graduation. All this time and effort spent getting them to university, and then they don’t get a degree award, or even choose the industry as a career!

STEER Support and Mentoring CIC was established in 2016 recognising the transition from university to a career in the built environment as a hard, and quite often daunting one. STEER’s vision is that students from all backgrounds are confident, connected and feel part of the built environment community, so they can forge fulfilling careers and contribute to a sustainable future. This is particularly important for those that come from disadvantaged backgrounds, who may not have had the support or knowledge from their home life, that others have had.

STEER engages built environment students, helping them build inspiring and inclusive connections with industry, supported by diverse role models, mentoring and knowledge-sharing. As graduates entering the industry, they must feel confident in their career choices, be connected to a network of future drivers for change, to find their part in multidisciplinary teams at project, programme and portfolio levels. The contribution of these students as built environment professionals to our communities and economies will support sustainable and resilient buildings and infrastructure for the future.

The flagship STEER Development Programme (SDP) is a unique one to one mentoring journey that aims to support the student to investigate various opportunities and guide them in their understanding of the industry, from which their careers will begin. The students are usually in their final year of an undergraduate built environment degree at a higher education institution in the UK. STEER predominantly work with Northern and Midlands universities, but have a replicable business model that they would like to adopt in other areas in the future.

STEER has written to RE:WOMEN so we can reach out to our network and ask if you are able to help them in the following areas:

Being an enthusiastic role model and mentor in their current operational areas (Leeds and Nottingham) to link with the students?
Sharing your knowledge with their network about experiences in the built environment?
Contributing with financial support to help with the administrative costs of our not for profit Community Interest Company?
Providing any administration support which could include developing marketing material (videos, blogs, soundbites), updating the website?
Promoting this great initiative through your networks, and of course they will reciprocate!