THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL MOBILITY

INSPIRE

For more than 50 years, BP has been a proud global supporter of education and STEM – building the pipeline of skills that its industry needs, creating local capability, providing fair access to education, and supporting quality teaching.

This work is evolving to meet the skills needs of the energy transition.

SUPPORTING EDUCATION IN THE UK

BP’s work continues to encourage and energize the next generation, helping them gain a better understanding of how important the STEM subjects are for the energy industry and for their futures.

Much of its work is rooted in funding research into the link between social mobility and science capital. This research informs a broad programme of educationrelated activities, which include:

• The BP Educational Service, which provides free materials, developed with teachers, to bring classroom topics to life. In 2021, one million

UK students benefited from BPES resources, which are used by 28% of primary schools and 64% of secondary schools across the UK.10

• Funding for STEM Learning’s Project

ENTHUSE, a collaboration between government, charities and businesses to promote STEM education and support inspired teaching through continuing professional development (CPD). With support from BP and others, STEM Learning reaches 1.7 million students a year, increasing student engagement, aspiration and attainment. This includes the delivery of 34,000 days of CPD in 2020/21, to improve teaching and tackle shortages. • BP employees volunteer and mentor students across the UK – the ‘Schools

Link’ volunteering programme helps inspire young people with STEM and business subjects through engagement.

©BP

“When I was growing up, I never had career role models, especially not those that were female, but I started working at 13 and studied hard at school. My grades allowed me to go to university and fortunately I had no tuition fees (as a Scot studying in Scotland) and secured scholarships on academic merit. I have always believed that a person’s life chances should not be limited because of where they have begun. We have a part to play in breaking down barriers and building a culture where everyone can thrive, so I’m passionate about our responsibility as BP to support young people in their education and with careers guidance.”

JILL ANDERSON, EDUCATION & EMPLOYABILITY SPECIALIST AT BP

Born in Aberdeen, Jill was the first in her family to attend university, after getting top grades at her local school. It was a tough environment in which to succeed, with bad behaviour, bullying, violence and disruption not uncommon at school. Jill established and co-chairs BP’s global Social Mobility Network which works to improve the representation, inclusion, retention and advancement of employees from socially mobile backgrounds.

During the pandemic, BP pivoted to support young people remotely. By partnering with charities including Career Ready, Speakers for Schools, Inspiring the Future and the Social Mobility Foundation, and switching to online, BP reached more young people than ever before.

For example, around 4,000 students joined BP careers talks via Speakers for Schools, and 300 students took part in live, interactive four-day virtual work insight placements where BP volunteers shared their knowledge of geoscience, engineering, low carbon, agility, digital, communication, the circular economy and procurement.

INSPIRING GLOBAL STEM CHANGEMAKERS

Ensuring the energy transition is successful depends on young people having the right skills and job opportunities.

BP has funded AFS Intercultural Programmes since 2012 to deliver global competency-based education, building adaptive and transformative skillsets that set children up for success.

BP’s support started with funding study abroad placements for secondary school students, and in 2018 scaled up to become the BP Global STEM Academies, providing places to 300 students on study abroad programmes.

BP is now taking that partnership further by funding 5,000 places in the AFS Global STEM Changemakers programme. This will provide full-scholarship intercultural exchange places over five years, empowering students to become positive contributors and influencers in their communities.