A new schools programme is aimed at sparking interest in science technology, engineering and maths (Stem) subjects among students in Cork, Dublin, Sligo, and Mayo. The AbbVie Stem Prize offers participating schools the chance to win Stem-related materials valued at €30,000 by demonstrating how they might use Stem to solve challenges in their local communities. The competition closes at the end of January and the winners will be announced shortly afterwards.
The competition reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to the promotion of science education in Ireland, according to Cork site head Malcolm Garde, who explains that a research-driven company like AbbVie has to be proactive in its support of Stem in local communities and showcase the diverse opportunities that are available in the pharmaceutical industry.
“Ireland has a highly developed employee talent base, but the global market is very competitive,” he says. “As an innovation-based company, we need to continuously engage with parents, teachers, schools, and others to highlight the broad range of high-quality opportunities that come from studying Stem disciplines. It’s our job to inspire the next generation of Stem workers and enthusiasts.”
The AbbVie Stem Prize encourages engagement in Stem-related learning, he adds. “We want to showcase the exciting and diverse educational and career opportunities that can be unlocked for young people who develop an interest in these subjects.”
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The initiative is being run in areas where the company operates. AbbVie has had an Irish presence since 1974 and the company now employs approximately 2,600 people across six sites. Alongside five manufacturing facilities in Cork, Dublin, Sligo and Mayo, offices in Dublin serve the needs of the company’s commercial, supply chain and operations activities.
These Irish plants support the company’s pipeline of new medicines and contribute to the production of treatments across many of the company’s therapeutic areas including eye care, neuroscience, immunology, haematology, infectious diseases, gastroenterology and more. AbbVie recently announced a €60 million expansion at its site in Cork. The investment, which will include the development of a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, will create approximately 70 new jobs.
Speaking at the launch of the AbbVie Stem Prize, former civil engineer Deirdre Clune MEP said she was passionate about Stem and delighted to support the initiative. “It is great to see AbbVie engaging with young people in their schools to highlight the wide variety of career options open to students who may study Stem. The traditional role of scientist or engineer has evolved and there are many variations required in today’s workplace. Companies such as AbbVie require a large pool of talent across a range of areas to conceive, develop and deliver their products in a safe and sustainable manner. This initiative will make students and their teachers aware of those opportunities.”
AbbVie’s promotion of science education goes back some years and in 2017, in partnership with other interested groups, the company published the Stem Paths report which explored barriers to engagement in science-related subjects and careers in Ireland. The document highlighted the negative impact that low levels of Stem student interest might have on Ireland’s high-value pharma, biopharma and medical technology sectors. To help address this issue, AbbVie developed a number of initiatives to encourage greater student awareness of the rewarding career opportunities available to Stem graduates.
These include the Back to School for Stem programme which sees employees from six of AbbVie’s sites around the country visit local schools, including their alma maters, to talk about their jobs and the difference working in pharma makes to wider society. The programme, which is supported by Science Foundation Ireland, aims to give the inside story on jobs in science directly from people working in them.
For further information on the AbbVie STEM Prize click here