UKESF celebrates success of Girls into Electronics programme

It launched the initiative to help inspire female students, aged 15-17, to consider a career in the electronics, and to address a gender imbalance in the industry.”

The success of this year’s programme was measured by more than double the number of female students participating: 465 compared to 230 in 2022. And ninety-seven percent of those surveyed thought the event at their host university was good or excellent.

The students participating came from more than 100 schools across the UK, highlighted the organisation.

“To more than double the number of female students participating is an amazing achievement,” said Stewart Edmondson, Chief Executive Officer at UKESF. “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.”

Girls into Electronics

Basically, the programme gave Key-Stage 4 pupils and sixth formers the opportunity to develop their interest in electronics, and at the heart of the programme was a one-day event at one of a range of UK universities.

During the day participants would learn more about electronics and studying the subject at university and have the opportunity to get hands on with development kits. The students also hear from female graduates working in the electronics sector and, this year, engineers from Apple also shared their experience working on hardware technology.

Speaking for Apple, Mari-Anne Chiromo – Apple Inclusion and Diversity Partnerships Lead, EMEIA – said:

“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.”

Universities participating in the initiative were: Aston, Bath, Bristol, Heriot Watt, Holloway, Imperial College London, Kings College London, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham, Queens, Sheffield, Southampton and Strathclyde.

“It was a fantastic event at Aston University and the girls loved it,” said Alistair Clarke, a teacher from Hamstead Hall Academy. “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!”

UKESF

The UKESF is an educational charity established in 2010 that works to tackle the national skills shortage for electronics, especially semiconductor design and manufacture.

In 2022 the UKESF was given a Princess Royal Training Award special commendation for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

See also: UKESF, Apple partner for ‘Girls into Electronics’ programme