Hundreds of Year 5 students from across East London gathered at Tower Hamlets Town Hall for a careers fair to explore the diverse fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Life Sciences.
The event provided 300 students with opportunities to engage in hands-on activities, interact with industry professionals, and learn about potential career pathways within these sectors.
Organised by Tower Hamlets Council in partnership with the LIFT programme, the event aimed to inspire students and give them a deeper understanding of STEM careers.
The LIFT programme is a collaboration between the boroughs of Islington, Camden, Hackney, and Tower Hamlets, working together to create opportunities for local people and support businesses in the tech, creative, and sciences sectors.
Cllr Musthak Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Enterprise, Skills, and Growth at Tower Hamlets Council, opened the event alongside Cllr Carole Williams, Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources, and Equalities at Hackney Council.
Cllr Musthak Ahmed said:
“Giving young people exposure to the wide range of career opportunities in STEM is key to helping them make informed decisions about their future.
“Thank you to Lateral and H.I.G. Capital for sponsoring the event, and to our business partners and everyone who helped make it possible.
“The event was an important step in supporting the development of young people’s skills and aspirations, reinforcing the importance of STEM education in shaping future careers.”
Organised into three main zones, the event included the Exhibitors Zone, where students participated in practical experiments and explored prototypes; the Careers Talk Zone, where industry professionals shared their experiences; and the Activity Zone, where students took part in challenges designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork.
Exhibitors included Queen Mary University, Barts Healthcare Horizons, Francis Crick Institute, Royal Veterinary College and many more.
Andy Puncher, Design Director at Lateral and one of the event's business partners, said:
"Lateral is proud to support ‘Ignite Your Imagination’ as part of our ‘STEM for Life’ initiative, which champions a cradle-to-career approach—ensuring young people have the inspiration, skills, and opportunities to thrive in STEM and Life Sciences.
“This event is a vital step in that journey, and we are grateful for the generous support of H.I.G. Capital in making it possible. Looking ahead, we will continue working with the LIFT Boroughs to expand the initiative’s reach, bringing STEM opportunities to even more schools across London’s boroughs."
The event also underscored Tower Hamlets’ growing role in the life sciences sector. In October 2024, the Council approved plans for a new life sciences cluster in Whitechapel, which is expected to create up to 4,180 full-time jobs.
Through initiatives like this event, the Council is focused on improving career prospects for young residents, from primary school through to age 25, by building partnerships with schools, colleges, businesses, and community groups to bridge the gap between education and the world of work.
Posted on Wednesday 19th February 2025