Speakers for Schools partners with Corsight AI to introduce careers in STEM to ethnic minority students

Social mobility charity Speakers for Schools (@speakrs4schools) has partnered with Corsight AI, a leading facial recognition provider, to provide 170 virtual work experience placements to young people across the UK. Corsight’s placements will provide vital insights into the ethical use of AI and facial recognition technology as a force for good, and shine a light on careers within the technology sector.

The placements will take place in the week commencing 19^th July and 20^th July, and target young people from ethnic minority backgrounds aged between 14-19. Ethnic minorities are largely underrepresented in STEM careers* and Corsight’s Vice President of Growth and Innovation and placement leader, Dr Maya Dillon, wants to change that by proactively tackling any barriers to the recruitment process. Completing a successful placement with Corsight AI will help young people build their technical knowledge, skills, network and employability – all of which will be crucial as we transition to a digital-first economy.

Dr Maya Dillon said: “The strongest teams are built through championing talent and diversity. Through this work experience programme with Speakers for Schools, we are able to connect with a broad range of young people, helping them to consider career options they might not have had access to previously or even knew existed. I am particularly passionate about encouraging young women and ethnic minority students to consider a career in tech, and promoting educational equality and providing access to high-quality work experience is a key place to start.”

Jason Elsom, CEO of Speakers for Schools, said: “In a world that is increasingly digitalised, there are a growing number of exciting job opportunities in the technology sector but as they are less-traditional by nature, young people can be less familiar with the career paths available. Partnerships like this ensure we are connecting young people to careers in dynamic industries, no matter what background or circumstance.”

Since March 2020, Speakers for Schools has offered 14,000 virtual work experience placements, enabling young people to access career-preparing opportunities despite the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and where they are geographically based.

Research on number of ethnic minorities in STEM subjects: According to BBSTEM, just 6.2% of UK domicile students enrolled onto STEM-related subjects at UK universities are black (4.8% Black African, 1.2% Black Caribbean, 0.2% Black Other).