Many of you are lucky enough to remember someone who inspired you. Perhaps it was a teacher who sparked your curiosity, or a visitor to your school who introduced you to a career you had never considered. Today, CIHT’s Outreach ambassadors embody that inspiration for the next generation.

Since 2025, CIHT has moved from using the term STEM ambassador to Outreach ambassador. The new term reflects the growing range of activities the institution’s volunteers deliver – as well as their diversity and the wide range of audiences they inspire. While science, technology, engineering and mathematics remain central, Outreach ambassadors also engage with geography, environmental studies, the arts, economics, social sciences, community engagement and much more.

Today's students are tomorrow’s transportation professionals. They will design, plan, build, manage, maintain and operate every aspect of our highways and transportation network. CIHT needs Outreach ambassadors from every part of the sector to help showcase the breadth of exciting careers our sector has to offer.

Why volunteer?

Many Outreach ambassadors say that volunteering has strengthened their communication, presentation and leadership skills while building their confidence and providing valuable evidence for their continuing professional development (CPD) records. Outreach activities can also support someone’s journey towards achieving a professional qualification – and many ambassadors say that volunteering has renewed their enthusiasm for the profession. Perhaps the greatest reward, however, is knowing that a single conversation could influence a young person’s future career. 

Whatever a young professional’s area of expertise, they have essential experience that can inspire young people to learn about the many opportunities available within the transport sector. There is also the potential to demonstrate how the profession shapes and improves the world we live in and the quality of people’s lives. At a time when the highway and transportation sector faces major skills shortages, inspiring the next generation as an Outreach ambassador has never been more important.

Someone who knows first-hand the importance of playing that role is Tom Smith, Principal Sponsor at Transport for London. He says: “I believe we all have a shared responsibility to pass on our knowledge and experience to inspire the next generation. Being an Outreach ambassador has helped me develop personally and professionally, while giving me the opportunity to give something back to our sector and inspire future generations.”  

Ready to get involved?

Becoming an Outreach ambassador is straightforward and simple. UK-based members are encouraged to register with STEM Learning as part of becoming a CIHT Outreach ambassador. After registering and linking your profile with CIHT, you will gain access to guidance, a free Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check, educational resources and volunteering opportunities. 

Members based outside the UK can still become CIHT Outreach ambassadors by registering their interest with CIHT and undertaking outreach activities within their own country, subject to any relevant local safeguarding requirements [can’t confirm].

Potential Outreach ambassadors don’t need any previous experience of working with schools or young people – they just need to bring some enthusiasm for their profession, and a willingness to share their knowledge and experiences. In addition, there is plenty of flexibility to fit volunteering around work and personal commitments, as well as different audiences and outreach activities to suit everyone.

Every Outreach ambassador has their own story to tell, but they all share one common goal: helping young people discover the exciting and rewarding careers our profession offers. If you can spare just a few hours each year, you could inspire the next generation of transport professionals.

John Challen was in conversation with John Hall, Professional Development Officer at CIHT.

Find out more about becoming a CIHT Outreach ambassador: https://www.ciht.org.uk/professional-development/get-involved/inspiring-the-next-generation/stem-ambassadors/