Thames Freeport - Britain's Trading Future

[ 83 ] in wildlife and nature filming. For example, the BBC’s Winterwatch 2021 series showcased the thermal imaging technology being used to great effect. For the UK to continue to flourish in the ultra-competitive international aerospace and defence marketplace, the skills agenda is crucial. The shortage of engineering skills and the need to encourage more young people to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects is widely recognised. Thames Freeport’s aim to attract investment and boost economic activity must be allied with a strong skills base locally. Leonardo recognises this, and its skilled workforce is its strongest asset. Solving complex engineering challenges is at the heart of what Leonardo does every day and, as the company looks to the future, this expertise will continue to be in high demand, which is why investment in skills and training is so important. Our team of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) ambassadors does a fantastic job inspiring young people to consider a future in engineering and acting as the face of Leonardo out in the community. Lockdown restrictions during the pandemic have had a huge impact on children’s learning. So, our STEM ambassadors in Basildon and other Leonardo sites in the UK have adapted and come up with different ways of connecting with young people. The result was STEM @ Home — a series of practical innovation challenges to help children discover the exciting world of engineering. From creating a paper plane launcher to the spaghetti tower challenge, building a rocket through to engineering logic puzzles, we compiled the resources so that they could be accessed easily from home. It’s part of our wider STEM outreach programme that every year sees us visit local schools and take part in a wide range of STEM initiatives such as the Big Bang Fair and the Flying Start Challenge. In conclusion, I would reiterate Leonardo’s support for Thames Freeport and our intent to play an active role to help generate prosperity and opportunity for local people. We have a long and proud heritage in Essex, we operate a business that supports a high-value sector of the UK economy and we’re committed to a successful long-term future in Basildon. STEM @ Home Manufacturing apprentice at Leonardo’s Southampton site