World Youth Skills Day: IAEA Challenge Supports the Next Generation of STEM Workforce

In the run up to World Youth Skills Day, young science-enthusiasts came to the IAEA to share their ideas for cultivating a future nuclear workforce with the right skills to meet global challenges.

These challenges include climate change, increasing food insecurity, and a growing cancer burden. More young people need to be inspired to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), to address these issues and achieve ambitious goals, such as increasing the role of nuclear energy in the future energy mix. World Youth Skills Day, observed annually on 15 July, recognizes the potential of young people as catalysts for change and contributors to a prosperous and sustainable future for all. The day highlights the importance of equipping youth with the skills and opportunities necessary to innovate and drive progress in addressing global challenges.

Earlier this month, finalists in the travelled to Vienna to attend the International Conference on Nuclear Knowledge Management and Human Resources Development. During a session on attracting talent to the nuclear sector, proSTEM finalists shared their innovative ideas and projects on developing the future STEM workforce.

"The IAEA is dedicated to fostering and empowering the next generation of STEM professionals. By encouraging innovative, inclusive and diverse ideas and projects, such as those showcased in the IAEA proSTEM Challenge, the IAEA helps the young generation to further understand the importance of STEM in addressing global climate emergency and facilitating clean energy transition and inspires and attracts new generation of workforce in STEM related specialities. On World Youth Skills Day, we celebrate these young talents who will drive sustainable development and create a brighter future for all," said Huang Wei, Director of the IAEA Division of Planning, Information and Knowledge Management.

The IAEA proSTEM Challenge encouraged participants to submit their innovative ideas and outreach projects to attract and develop the next generation of workforce in STEM-related fields, with nearly 90 participants from 26 countries submitting projects.

"The proSTEM challenge gave a unique opportunity for so many people from across the world to showcase their innovative ideas and contribute to the global effort of inspiring, attracting and retaining youth in STEM education and careers. Best practices and experiences of communication strategies among diverse groups helped to bridge the skill gap,” said Alesia Iunikova, an IAEA Knowledge Management Specialist.

Voices of finalists

One of the finalists, ‘STREAM-clusive Project’ from Malaysia, was recognized as the best inclusive project for empowering special needs students. This initiative, led by teacher Kuit Vui Ket, integrates reading and art into STEM education to make it more accessible and relevant for underrepresented groups, including girls and children from diverse ethnic backgrounds in the Asia and Pacific region. Kuit Vui Ket said: “Fostering the next generation of STEM professionals with a commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and dignity means ensuring that every young mind, from every background and identity, has the chance to shape our future in a ubiquitous world. By embracing diversity in STEM, we not only unlock boundless innovation but also nurture a world where every voice is heard, valued and empowered to make a meaningful difference.”

The Stemptation Team, awarded best project on an educational platform for their ‘BeSTEM Project’, aspires to contribute to a world where STEM education empowers youth, drives sustainable development, and creates a brighter future for all.

“Our idea is fuelled by empathy, driven by passion, and shaped by real-world experiences. We've been there, we understand, and we want to make your journey easier and more inspiring than ours,” said a statement from the team.

Sophie Osbourne, a PhD student in Physics at the University of Bristol, expressed her hopes for an increase in young people exploring science at university and continuing into their careers, “especially young women, where in fields such as nuclear and physics we are still far behind.” Her project ‘STEMTok’ aims to break down stereotypes and make science fun for children through engaging short-form experiment videos on YouTube and TikTok. “Nurturing those skills in all, not just those wanting to study STEM subjects, would lead to an enquiring global population that might be able to meet some of our biggest challenges.”

Promote STEM education

The IAEA actively supports STEM education and youth skills development through a variety of initiatives. Last year, the IAEA and FAO also hosted the ‘Seeds in Space’ comic book contest, aimed at inspiring youth to explore nuclear science and technology.

The IAEA also fosters regional networks designed to enhance STEM education by fostering global collaboration among nuclear institutions and ensuring a skilled workforce for safe nuclear technology use. They have directly supported regional educational networks in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP), the IAEA offers scholarships and internships to women master's students for research and practical experience in nuclear fields. Programs like the MSCFP and Lise Meitner Programme have supported around 600 women from over 120 countries, furthering the IAEA’s mission to address global challenges and promote gender diversity in STEM. From August 26 to September 4, the IAEA will host the International School on Nuclear Security for MSCFP students.

The IAEA's International Nuclear Management Academy (INMA) supports universities in establishing master’s programs in nuclear technology management, combining advanced management and nuclear technologies to educate future industry leaders. 

SOurce: IAEA