Member Article

Academies need you - Why skilled business leaders are key to improving young people’s life chances

Emma Antrobus, North West Director at Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), tells us why she is encouraging our region’s skilled engineers to join boards at their local academy trusts and what she has learned from doing just that.

In my first six months at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) I’ve learned a huge amount, but a couple of things have really hit home for me. The first is how I view the world around me in a completely different way, realising how engineers are behind everything I take for granted, be it turning on a light or a tap, commuting to work or attending a hospital appointment. The second is the chronic skills shortage in civil engineering and how vitally important is it that we encourage the next generation to pursue engineering as a career.

This is one of the reasons I will be shouting about the benefits of becoming a trustee or non-executive director at a multi-academy trust throughout 2019. I can speak about this from first-hand experience, having been non-executive director of several schools for the past five years. It has been one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of my career to date and not only has it provided me with an opportunity to give back to my local communities, it has also provided me invaluable experience and enhanced my own CV.

Academies are crying out for the skills and experience of business leaders, particularly those with engineering expertise. Why not make 2019 the year that you help create a better future for the next generation by sharing yours with a multi-academy trust? In my opinion there hasn’t been a more important time to do this, with schools, young people and employers facing an unprecedented host of challenges. Whether it is cuts to funding, changes to policies around qualifications or less young people choosing to go onto university, we really need to be reaching primary and secondary-aged children now to future-proof their lives and our economy.

If, like me, you are passionate about making a difference to the lives of future generations find out more about opportunities near you. Academy trusts need engineers’ unique experience and this could be the year you make a difference and strengthen your skills like never before.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Antrobus .