Think of the combined population of the South Lakes and Furness and I'm sure you'll agree that it adds up to quite a few people (approximately 172,000).

Now consider that the United Kingdom's future economic success relies on finding around this same number of people to join the workforce in science, engineering and technology subjects - each year - between now and 2020.

That's one big old south Cumbria-sized annual gap to fill.

At Kendal College, we're trying to do our bit to address the UK-wide gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) subjects. Just last month, we opened our brand new £1.9 million Engineering Centre at our main site in Kendal, and this has already seen demand for courses increase four-fold.

The Centre is three times the size of our old facilities and has a range of hi-tech engineering equipment – much of which is used in top manufacturing companies around the world.

On the back of the new Centre alone, we're confident that our engineering enrolments will quadruple over the next two years, which should hopefully be music to the ears of some Cumbrian businesses.

We are very fortunate in Cumbria as we have some world-class manufacturers on our doorstep, and it is our aim to constantly work with them to make sure we are providing exactly what they need from their next generation of employees.

By talking and, importantly, listening to local employers, the Engineering Centre will specialise in courses to meet industry needs.

And by introducing new STEM programmes, we are already helping to keep fresh young talent in the South Lakes, where previously they had to look outside of the area to further progress their studies.

In a recent survey, a quarter of Cumbrian manufacturing companies stated that one of their most significant barriers to performance was having 'the availability of people able to do the job.'

We know that skills shortages can be a major barrier to growth but Kendal College has the facilities, equipment and vision to be the first choice college for local employers in the area.

We want to attract them into the Engineering Centre, as well as increasing overall student numbers and apprenticeships.

It needs a combined effort to show the next generation that STEM subjects are far from being dull, geeky, and boring and can, in fact, lead to some of the most interesting, creative, and rewarding careers.

One way of doing this is through events like the South Cumbria Big Bang Science and Engineering Fair, which is being held at the College next Tuesday, November 4.

Local STEM employers will be carrying out 'have-a-go' hands-on activities with Cumbrian primary and secondary school pupils, who will also have a chance to enter the South Cumbria Young Scientists and Engineers Competition on the day.

You never know, perhaps this event could even throw up the UK's next Professor Brian Cox, James Dyson or Adrian Newey.

Pupils will be welcomed into the College by 'Oscar the Robot' and will also have the opportunity to meet the college's mini robot and see some new technology in action with 3D printers, CAD design software for drawing and designing, and robotic programming.

This will be the fourth Big Bang Fair to be held in Cumbria and we should be encouraged that the interest and demand remains strong for these events.

Getting pupils excited about and engaged in STEM subjects while still at school, as well as improving the standard of secondary school education with practical skills and advice from STEM-related businesses, is a fundamental part of addressing today's skills gap.