Introduction to the Leriko 100 Role Models

By Alistair Scott
Adviser (UK), Communications & PR, Astrium Ltd

"As a world leader and Europe's largest Space Company designing and building everything from launch vehicles and missile systems to civil and military spacecraft for communications, observation, navigation and scientific exploration Astrium has one of the most highly qualified workforces in the manufacturing industry. With such a bright future in a rapidly expanding business, Astrium must look for the same high standards and qualities in its future workforce - intelligence, expertise and innovation.

But times have changed. Fifty years ago, recovering from years of war, horizons were closer, even local, and kids listened to parents and those in authority. More often than not they took the advice offered and were keen to follow their local heroes or role models who could have been shopkeepers, soldiers, teachers, dock workers, nurses, doctors etc.

Now TV and the huge media empires have created mega-celebrities or heroes that entertain us, but offer nothing more. What we really need now is a process for helping young people to identify role models which they can follow in many different and interesting pathways. We need role models that will show young people how to develop not just their physical and musical talents but also their intellectual potential and apply their ingenuity in ways that will add to the contributions of brilliant scientists and engineers who gave us electric light, the telephone, effortless and safe means of travel, the information superhighway (the Internet), protection from once incurable diseases, capable of decimating whole communities, and much more.

Well, here is an important step in this direction! The"100 role models"database will showcase science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) contributors and achievers that will appeal to young girls, Black and Minority Ethnic pupils and White boys, especially those from socially deprived backgrounds.

I believe the database is a great place to start. Access to it begins in the summer through a small number of pilot schools. It shouldn't be long before it will be available to many more young people through their schools and elsewhere.