Baxi signs STEM education partnership with Primary Engineer
Baxi has expanded its partnership with purpose-driven, not-for-profit organisation Primary Engineer to bring STEM into the classroom and inspire the next generation of engineers.
The initiative is funded by the BDR Thermea Foundation, the owner of Baxi’s parent company BDR Thermea Group, and follows the announcement of Baxi’s four-year principal sponsorship of World Skills UK.
Building on Baxi’s successful four-year partnership with Primary Engineer in Preston, where Baxi has its manufacturing facility, the new agreement involves expanding the Construction Programme to include Warwick, home to Baxi’s UK headquarters. Engaging 60 primary schools across Warwick and Preston will connect over 3,000 pupils with real-world Baxi engineers who will help them to develop skills, confidence and curiosity around engineering.
The programme consists of two curriculum-linked engineering projects for Key Stage 1 (ages 5 to 7) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7 to 11) that encourage pupils to design, build and present their ideas. The initiative will simultaneously train more than 100 teachers who will be directly supported by the Baxi volunteer engineers during both training and classroom delivery. The initiative also includes a three-year partnership for the ‘If you were an engineer, what would you do?’ competition in Lancashire and West Central England.
Carolyn Sidebotham, Head of L&D at Baxi UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to expand our partnership with Primary Engineer, with the support of the BDR Thermea Foundation, to include schools across both our Warwick and Preston locations.
“It’s essential we encourage and inspire the next generation of young engineers to help us in the critical transition to clean heating and hot water – and this programme, which involves our own engineers, is a fantastic way to do just that. Research shows that STEM aspirations and perceptions are formed during the primary years, so engaging with pupils at this early stage is vital to encourage a larger and more diverse talent force. By bringing engineering to life in such a fun and informative way, we hope to show what a meaningful career opportunity this sector offers.”
Primary Engineer Head of Partnerships Natasha Kinnear said: “We are thrilled to be expanding our partnership with Baxi and the BDR Thermea Foundation. Together, we’re opening the doors of engineering to thousands of young people, helping them to see how engineering is relevant to their lives and how they can play a part in shaping a more sustainable future.”
