- Luxury automotive manufacturer launches Create Possible, a free skills programme for schools designed to inspire pupils with real-world resources to help close the UK STEM skills gap – building on the company’s wider commitment to advancing youth futures.
- Programme launches as poll finds a third of students disengaged in the classroom because of inadequate or unexciting teaching resources.
- Research also reveals over a quarter of pupils believe STEM subjects are “just for boys”, while those in London are nearly twice as likely to regularly attend extracurricular STEM activities – highlighting a potential postcode gap in opportunity.
JLR has launched Create Possible – a free online education programme for teachers and students aged 11–14, to help tackle classroom challenges and support efforts to close the UK’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills gap.
The initiative follows a survey of 1,000 pupils aged 11–14, which revealed misconceptions and barriers around STEM subjects. Over a quarter (26%) of students believe STEM is “just for boys”, while only 1% think it’s “just for girls”. Encouragingly, 75% of girls say they would consider a career in STEM – compared to 88% of boys.
The survey also highlighted regional disparities in access to STEM opportunities. Pupils in London are nearly twice as likely to regularly attend extracurricular STEM activities such as science fairs (36% vs. 20% national average), pointing to a postcode gap in exposure and engagement.
To help address some of these challenges, Create Possible offers curriculum-aligned lesson plans, interactive activities, and engaging Q&A videos with JLR employees, designed to support teachers and help students identify their strengths, boost motivation, and improve academic outcomes.
The programme launch responds to growing concerns about the UK’s STEM pipeline, with recent Parliamentary research highlighting that demand for STEM skills continues to outpace supply across key sectors such as engineering, digital, and manufacturing. The report warns that without targeted interventions, the UK risks falling short of the workforce needed to drive innovation and economic growth.
Morgan Gore, Schools Engagement Lead at JLR, said: “Teachers face real pressures in preparing students for a fast-changing world. Through the launch of Create Possible, JLR is making a vital investment in future talent – helping address the UK’s STEM skills gap and secure the next generation of innovators.”
Lorna Trout, Head of Design Technology at Oakley School in Warwickshire, commented: “Supporting the school’s Design Technology curriculum, Create Possible provides our students early access to real-world career insights, far beyond the traditional classroom experience. Through hands-on experiences and exposure to industry pathways, it’s encouraging them to explore future possibilities, make informed decisions, and grow in confidence.”
Create Possible builds on JLR’s long-standing commitment to advancing youth futures, complementing a suite of initiatives designed to inspire and empower the next generation. These include the JLR Schools’ Partnership Programme, launched in 2022 to strengthen links between industry and education, and the virtual work experience programme, which has engaged over 7,500 students since its inception in 2023.
In early 2025, this commitment was further deepened with the launch of the JLR Foundation, backed by an initial funding pledge of £2.5 million, to support children and young people – particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds – in reaching their full potential through targeted programmes and strategic partnerships.
