The Girls into Electronics events, hosted by leading UK universities, is intended to inspire the students attending and encourage them to consider a career in Electronics. The initiative is part of the UKESF’s wider work to address the skills shortage in the Electronics sector, whilst also tackling the gender imbalance. In 2022, in recognition of our work, the UKESF was given a Princess Royal Training Award special commendation for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Commenting Stewart Edmondson, Chief Executive Officer at UKESF, said, “We’re thrilled at the success of this year’s Girls into Electronics programme. To more than double the number of female students participating is an amazing achievement. The UKESF is striving to improve diversity and inclusion in the Electronics sector, so we’re also pleased to announce nearly half of the students participating were from ethnic minority backgrounds.”
Stewart continued, “We’d like to thank all the universities involved for hosting such brilliant events. And a special thank you to Apple for supporting the programme this year."
Girls into Electronics gives KS4 pupils and sixth formers the unique opportunity to develop their interest in Electronics. At the heart of the programme is a one-day event at a leading UK university. Ninety-seven percent thought the event at their host university was good or excellent. During the day participants find out all about Electronics, studying the subject at university and enjoyed an opportunity to get hands on with electronics kits. The students hear from female graduates working in the Electronics sector and, this year, engineers from Apple also shared their experience working on hardware technology.
“Education can be a powerful force for equity and help provide young women with the tools and opportunity to pursue a rewarding career in engineering,” said Mari-Anne Chiromo, Apple Inclusion and Diversity Partnerships Lead, EMEIA. “We’re thrilled to have worked with the UKESF on this important initiative, encouraging more women from all backgrounds to study electronic engineering and increase diverse representation in the field.”