2 minute read - 9th August 2023
Encouraging the next generation of female engineers as Girls into Electronics more than doubles its impact in 2023
The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF), in collaboration with Apple, has wrapped up a successful Girls into Electronics 2023. This year’s programme saw more than double the number of female students participating, 465 compared to 230 in 2022.
The Girls into Electronics events, hosted by a variety of UK universities, aim to inspire and encourage students 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 and tackle the gender imbalance. In 2022, in recognition of its work, the UKESF was given a Princess Royal Training Award special commendation for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
The UKESF Girls into Electronics programme saw double the number of female students participating in 2023 / Picture: UKESF
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. 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 enjoying 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.
The programme focuses on encouraging the next generation of female engineers as 85% of participants say they are inspired by electronics / Picture: UKESF
Mari-Anne Chiromo, Apple inclusion and diversity partnerships lead for EMEIA, added: “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. 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.”
Alistair Clarke, teacher from Hamstead Hall Academy, said: “It was a fantastic event at Aston University and the girls loved it. Organisers were brilliant and all communications were effective. One of the girls is now considering switching from a dentistry pathway to an electronics course. So the whole team behind Girls into Electronics made a great impression – well done!”
Find out more about UKESF’s programme here: Girls into Electronics