BG Group, in partnership with leading organisations, supports Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education in countries we work in around the world.

By investing in STEM education we strive to:

• Deliver enduring and wider socio-economic benefits
  
  
• Contribute to government priorities for employment and economic development
  
  
• Develop the long-term skills needed for the energy industry

In many economies throughout the world, there is significant and increasing demand for talented professionals educated in these fields of study. According to a report by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) published in October 2012, in the UK alone the minimum number of STEM graduates required to maintain the status quo is 100,000 a year. Currently, only 90,000 STEM students graduate annually.

These subjects are crucial for oil and gas companies, as well as a number of other industries, as they take on a broad range of future challenges. They are also a priority for many governments as part of wider efforts to encourage economic development and social mobility.

BG Group recognises the importance of promoting greater awareness of and interest in these subjects. In 2011 we began supporting STEM education in some countries where we do business. Our initial focus countries are Brazil and the UK and we are rolling out the programme to other countries as opportunities arise.

In addition to our own efforts to drive academic achievement across STEM subjects, BG Group is also a founding supporter of The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering. This prestigious international award, with a prize of £1million, is being managed through the RAE – and will be awarded in alternate years. The award will go to an individual or team, of up to three people, directly responsible for advancing the positive application of engineering knowledge.

“It is vitally important that more young people study STEM subjects and conceive a lasting passion for them. Through our work on STEM education, BG Group aims to provide enduring socioeconomic benefits in countries where we operate, and create a range of exciting opportunities for young people, particularly those from backgrounds underrepresented in the science and technology sector. We also hope to contribute to building the pipeline of talent that is critical for the future success of our industry” – Sir John Grant, Executive Vice President, Policy and Corporate Affairs, BG Group.

To find out more about our commitment to education in STEM, read about some of our recent initiatives:

• UK Geo and Marine Science Summer School – creating STEM capabilities
  


• UK-Brazil STEM education exchange
  
  
• Promoting a pipeline of talent
  
  

This work has been endorsed by the BG Group board as a global social investment theme.