Council-backed event to connect pupils with local STEM employers and educators
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council's Labour Market Partnership (LMP) will stage STEM in Action: Lisburn & Castlereagh at Lagan Valley Island on Tuesday 13 October 2026, bringing together employers, universities, colleges and training providers in a careers showcase designed for Year 12 to Upper Sixth students.
The event is organised by the LMP, part of a network of local Labour Market Partnerships funded by the Department for Communities to develop targeted employment action plans and improve collaboration between education and industry.
Organisers say the event will be immersive and interactive, divided into four dedicated zones. Attendees can expect live demonstrations from Mark the Science Guy, an interactive space experience from Armagh Planetarium, employer and educator stands, a hands-on STEM challenge aimed at developing teamwork and problem-solving skills, and a STEM Passport activity to encourage pupils to visit each zone and learn about career routes.
"STEM in Action has been designed to give young people a real insight into the exciting opportunities available within STEM industries," said Alderman James Baird, chair of the council's Regeneration and Growth Committee. "By bringing together employers, educators and industry professionals in an engaging and interactive environment, we hope to inspire students to explore the many pathways available to them and help them make informed decisions about their future careers."
The initiative will feature a range of participating organisations from the local and regional area, among them Ulster University, South Eastern Regional College (SERC), Construction Futures, On Track Technicians, Leckey, Consarc, Creative Composites, SONI and Graham. The mix reflects a cross-section of education providers, private employers and specialist training groups active in engineering, construction and advanced manufacturing.
- Audience: Year 12 to Upper Sixth students
- Activities: live demonstrations, planetarium experience, employer engagement, team challenge, STEM Passport
- Partners: universities, colleges, training providers and local firms
Lisburn families, school leaders and careers advisers are likely to take particular interest: the event is aimed at helping pupils make more informed choices about A-levels, vocational training, apprenticeships and higher-education routes into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Employers involved in the LMP view such events as a route to addressing local skills shortages and to promote career pathways from secondary school into technical and professional roles. Bringing employers and education providers together in the city centre allows students to see real-world applications of classroom learning and meet potential future trainers or employers.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday 13 October 2026 |
| Venue | Lagan Valley Island |
| Target audience | Year 12 to Upper Sixth students |
Local councillors and education representatives have in recent years emphasised the importance of connecting school curricula to employer needs to help young people transition into the workforce. The council’s Labour Market Partnership model is intended to support that aim by fostering collaboration at both local and regional levels.
For Lisburn, an event of this type also carries potential benefits for the local economy: by showcasing firms based in the city and the wider region, organisers hope to encourage pupils to consider staying in the area for study and work, and to highlight the range of technical and professional roles available close to home.
Further logistical details and participating school arrangements were not published in the council release. Schools and parents wishing to enquire about attendance or arrangements for the day should contact Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council's Labour Market Partnership for more information.
