The number of ambassadors working to get young people excited about careers in engineering and science is to rise to 27,000 over the next three years, Science Minister Ian Pearson has announced.
It is hoped the government's Science and Engineering Ambassador scheme will be expanded to all schools and colleges with an increase in numbers from the current 18,000 achieved by 2011. The government will increase funding for the ambassador scheme by almost £2m to £7.4m.
Mr Pearson made the announcement at the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) Partnership Conference in London yesterday.
Mr Pearson said: "The Science and Engineering Ambassadors programme - now more than 18,000 strong - is the epitome of effective partnership working, with businesses of all sizes contributing enthusiastic and expert volunteers to serve as role models in schools.
Science and Engineering Ambassadors are based across the UK. They represent a broad range of STEM disciplines from apprentices and technicians through to PhDs working in corporate, academic and government organisations.
They work with students in several ways, including supporting school science and engineering clubs, assisting with school science competitions or offering advice and mentoring to students.
