UKESF, Apple partner for ‘Girls into Electronics’ programme

The organisations hope the initiative will encourage more students from diverse backgrounds to consider careers in this area, which would help address a gender imbalance.

“We believe education can be a powerful force for equity, and help provide young women with the tools and opportunity to pursue a rewarding career in hardware engineering,” said Mari-Anne Chiromo, Apple Inclusion and Diversity Partnerships Lead EMEIA.

“We’re thrilled to be working with the UKESF on this important initiative, to encourage more women from all backgrounds to study electronic engineering and improve the current gender imbalance in the field.”

Girls into Electronics

At the heart of the programme is a one-day event at a major UK university. During the day, participants will find out more about studying electronics at university level, as well as hearing from female graduate engineers working in the electronics sector.

During the day, participants will experience a sample lecture from a senior academic, input from current students, a department tour, a Q&A, and an introduction to microcontrollers.

This introduction will be a ‘hands on’ practical session using the Grove Beginners’ Kit, including Arduino (which participants are provided with and is theirs to keep). There will also be follow-on activities, including online sessions to guide participants through further practical activities with the microcontrollers.

Universities participating in the initiative include Bristol, Imperial College London, Leeds and Southampton.

The events will take place in June and July 2023 students can register here. And you can read more about the ‘Girls into Electronics’ programme on the UKESF website.

“Many students touch upon Electronics in their Physics and Computer Science lessons at school, but the breadth, complexity and importance of the field is often not fully understood,” said Stew Edmondson, CEO of UKESF.

“This initiative will ensure that more young people get to experience this fascinating and creative subject, and learn about the worthwhile opportunities available in Electronics Engineering.”

UKESF

UKESF – an educational charity established in 2010 – works to tackle the national skills shortage for electronics, especially semiconductor design and manufacture. It works collaboratively with major companies and leading universities on a range of education Electronics-focused activities, projects and teacher training.

It quotes UCAS figures showing only 3,245 students enrolled on degrees in Electronic and Electrical Engineering in the UK 2021, of which as few as 335 were women.

Saturday marked International Day of Women and Girls in Science tomorrow – 11 February 11.

See also: UKESF offers Introduction to Electronic Engineering online course