Women have made significant contributions to science through the years, however despite the remarkable achievements the proportion of the UK’s female STEM workforce is only 21%, according to Women in Science and Engineering (WISE).
Briar Chemicals are passionate about encouraging more girls into STEM careers and are proud to sponsor and lead exciting initiatives that offer first-hand experiences.
Education is vital to the future of science and our industry. We produce and supply companies all over the world with crop protection products, helping farmers to grow and protect their crops. By contributing to the industry, the future young scientists have the opportunity to work in a career in which they can contribute to society and really make a difference.
Our Education Programme is designed to inspire the next generation to discover the world of science. We actively encourage our staff to share their knowledge and skills to the young people within our community. By improving engagement with schools and colleges, it allows pupils to recognise their potential and the exciting STEM career opportunities available.
We offer industrial placement opportunities for chemistry and chemical engineering students keen to get an early insight into the wide range of careers in STEM. Carmina, our Student Placement from Loughborough University, who is currently studying for her Masters in Engineering said: The chemical industry offers great opportunities for a diverse career, working in different locations across the globe. Before joining Briar Chemicals, I spent five months at a University in Italy within a Chemical Engineering Research department; a fantastic experience, which, along with my time at Briar Chemicals, will help me further my career. “
Our ‘Insight in Industry’ visits offer a unique chance to experience STEM-related work in an industrial setting. Students meet with our highly skilled workforce who have qualifications in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and have the chance to look around working laboratories and production plants.
Introducing young people to influential and inspiring role models is a great way to teach them how science is applied to real life environments. In addition to engaging with our staff, we have also worked with role models such as TV Astronomer Mark Thompson and Zoologist Jess French as part of our annual science-themed poetry competition.
As proud sponsors of the Norwich Science Festival Chemistry Day, we aim to engage with people of all ages. Hands-on experiments and activities help show chemistry is part of their everyday life. By interacting with parents and teachers, we hope that they encourage children from an early age to explore the wonder of science.
On 8th March, as part of our celebrations of International Women’s Day, we will be hosting a ‘Girls in STEM’ event. Female pupils from local high schools will be invited to meet with women working within the industry at our manufacturing site, as pictured above. With many inspirational women in science, we support and develop those with aspirations of pursuing a career in STEM. Dorothy Hodgkin, a British biochemist, was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her pioneering work into the structures of vitamin B12 and penicillin and remains the only British woman to receive a Nobel Prize for science.
For more information about careers at Briar Chemicals, please contact our HR team on [email protected]