07 October 2021
Infineum employees have been busy encouraging young people into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers through a wide variety of initiatives worldwide.
As outlined in our first Corporate Sustainability Report, one of our sustainability goals is to create a positive impact in the communities where we operate, with particular emphasis on promoting and building STEM skills in schools, colleges and universities.
In Italy…
We organised a virtual site visit for students to our manufacturing plant in Vado that is being used to inspire other companies and schools in the region to connect digitally.
A team of four employees shared their passion for chemistry through personal stories and a Q&A session. Students were then challenged to summarise what they’d learnt using a written or multi-media format. The best efforts were awarded a library voucher.
During a session (pictured left) organised by the regional government, we shared our virtual approach to encourage other employers and schools in the region to follow suit.
In Germany…
Our employees also hosted a virtual visit for local students earlier in the year. After virtually touring our Cologne plant, students were put to work to solve different puzzles, one of which involved scaling-up lab processes.
Feedback afterwards was positive, with one student commenting:
Given the current situation with Covid-19, I’m thankful to have had a digital alternative allowing me to learn about the chemicals industry, Infineum and the different job roles available.
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Our Corporate Sustainability Report demonstrates our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with our Schools Outreach programme addressing the following areas:
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On another occasion, our Cologne site welcomed 18-year-old Alicia (pictured far left) and 15-year-old Nikolai (pictured middle right) from local schools so they could gain two weeks of valuable insight into the world of work, as part of the KURS initiative.
The students spent time in a wide range of departments including Supply Chain, Human Resource, Finance and HSSE and were introduced to a variety of colleagues so they could discuss school qualifications and different career paths.
"I felt very comfortable in the Deutsche Infineum team and realised training as an Industrial Manager is for me," concluded Alicia.
In the UK…
Our UK STEM ‘Ambassadors’ supported three virtual events, answering student questions on career path options, exam subject choices, CV writing and more.
One attendee Maria Kariuki, a postgraduate researcher from Warwick University, said:
We covered how to prepare for different stages of the recruitment process and the advice felt personal and transparent. I left feeling more confident about how to approach interviews.
Site Manager and STEM Ambassador Bobby Patel commented:
If sharing my experience helps even one young person to choose a career in STEM, it is three hours really well spent!
In the US…
A similar approach was taken by employees in North America who partnered with non-profit organisation Junior Achievement (JA) based in New Jersey.
A student moderator from JA posed questions to six Infineum colleagues during conversations called ‘fireside chats’ due to the relaxed interview style.
The candid conversations introduced Infineum and STEM careers to students aged 12 to 18 years old. Discussions explored the various career path opportunities available, while also illuminating broader professional obstacles and tactics for overcoming them.
Find out more about how we’re encouraging STEM
in schools, colleges and universities here.
