The Pan European Network of the Industry Liaison Officers with Large Research Infrastructures PERIIA - the Big Science Business community - recognises the need of attracting the future STEM workforce to the Big Science Business market, as a topic of growing importance.
Based on ECFA recommendations in 2018 to create synergies with Big Science Business, knowledge transfer and education, and engage also the tech industries as ambassadors for STEM education, the "4S+ concept" of project with broad impact has been developed in collaboration with experts from Big Science Business community, physics and research community, outreach and education community, tech industry, school and education authorities. The project Youth@STEM4SF (Youth at STEM for Sustainable Future) has been then developed and piloted in Switzerland in 2023-2024 under the umbrella of UNESCO International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (article published by Swiss Physical Society). The first international edition of the project has been co-organised with the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics IUPAP, as pre-event and satellite event of Big Science Business Forum 2024 in Trieste:
Strategic relevance of this approach of integration of innovation ecosystem actors in shaping the education, is described in the article in the European Physics News.
In 2025, the project has been also approved as an official initiative for transversal education within the main network of the UNESCO International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, the Earth-Humanity coalition, presided by the former CERN Council president, Michel Spiro : A new joint programme for EHC – S4SF.
Following the presentation of Youth@STEM4SF Swiss pilot at the PERIIA GA during BSBF 2024 in Trieste, the subject "The role of the ILO in facilitating technology and Knowledge transfer to society and attracting workforce to the Big Science Business market" was formally integrated into the PERIIA Work Plan 2024-2026 as theme 5. The pilot demonstrated how connecting high schools with cutting-edge research and industry can counter stereotypes, inspire the next generation, aiming to address the skills gap in physics, engineering, and related fields.
Building on these results, we are now exploring the creation of a pan-European consortium to scale up Youth@STEM4SF across EU member states under Erasmus+ Key Action 2 (similar in spirit to the ENRIITC initiative, but dedicated to STEM education). Together with colleagues from Big Science Denmark, we have identified a suitable Erasmus+ call and drafted a short concept note, which we kindly invite you to review ahead of the webinar.
We are looking forward to your inputs in shaping this initiative, which represents a unique opportunity for the Big Science community to strengthen ties with education, inspire young talent, and support the workforce of the future.
WEBINAR WAS ONLINE. WATCH RECORDING HERE.
