According to the UK Commission for Employment & Skills, 43% of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) vacancies are hard to fill. Professions in STEM are suffering a skills gap crisis. Apart from common misconceptions about what these professions entail these industries are missing out on nearly 50 % of the population (women).
The butterfly is a symbol of transformation and social enterprise, Butterfly Books hopes to transform the way in which youngsters perceive various careers. They create colourfully illustrated rhyming picture books based on various professions.
By raising awareness of careers from a young age their aim is to address unconscious bias about gender and what professions entail in order to help to close industry skills gaps in the future.
Aimed at children aged between 3 and 7 the books can be used to cover areas of school curriculums worldwide and are also a fun way for parents to explain to their children what they do at work.
The company was founded by brother and sister duo Kerrine Bryan and Jason Bryan. Parents to young daughters, they are passionate about the product in the hope that their unique books will educate and inspire the next generation.
Kerrine is an award-winning engineer and the idea behind the books stems from her unconventional route into a male dominated profession that she originally knew nothing about. A profession that she has thoroughly enjoyed and would hate for others to miss out on just because they don't really know what it involves, and a profession where she is a minority in more than one way.
See what Butterfly Books are all about by visiting https://voom.virginmediabusiness.co.uk/pitches/butterfly-books and casting your vote! Even if you do not want to donate, voting is free and could really help!
