Helping young people understand digital and technology careers

Colleagues from our Chief Digital Office delivered workshops at this special event on careers which focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects.

Around 300 local children aged 10-14 attended the event which was organised by education charity SmartSTEMs and Computacenter, one of our major suppliers.

Computacenter facilitated the event as part of our recently published Community Benefit Strategy 2024 – 2027, which details how a range of economic, social or environmental benefits are built into our procurement contracts. Community Benefits are a way companies we award contacts to show their contributions to local areas. These can include supporting youth sports teams, recruitment and training and awareness raising programmes.

SmartSTEMs aim is to encourage young people, whatever their background, to learn about the opportunities and careers open to them through studying science, technology, engineering or maths.

Our colleagues Dawn, Shabaz and Joy delivered a workshop talking about their roles in our Chief Digital Office and gave young people taking part the opportunity to ask questions and win raffle tickets for a prize draw.

We also had an information stall where our Procurement colleagues Yvonne and Lucy highlighted STEM roles available at Social Security Scotland.

Natalie McCrindle, Head of Procurement and Commercial at Social Security Scotland, said:

“We are really pleased to be working in partnership with Abertay University here in Dundee, where our head office is situated on the waterfront.

“Working with a charity like SmartSTEMs while delivering on our Community Benefits Strategy on such an informative and engaging event for young people is a great opportunity to highlight careers in the civil service.

“I hope the event will help to encourage the next generation to explore a career in science, technology, engineering and maths. Some of them might even be working with us in future.”