Help shape a future for women in STEM

The West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges (WYCC) is looking for employers, professional/trade bodies and training providers to help design a training programme for women working in Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) based industries.

Earlier this year, WYCC successfully secured funding (£3.5 million) from the European Social Fund (ESF) for the ‘Reach Higher’ project that will enable career progression and/or transition among those in employment in the Leeds City Region.

A key part of this project will target women working in the STEM based industries who have potential to progress. WYCC is holding a workshop in partnership with WISE (Women Into Science and Engineering) to gather the views of key stakeholders later this month.

Helen Wollaston, CEO of WISE said, “Engineering and technology are two areas with the biggest skills shortage in the UK, however 90% of women leave education without a qualification to work in these sectors.

“While it’s important to encourage girls to take an interest in these subjects at an early stage, it can take a long time for the impact to take effect in industry. To fill vacancies now, it makes perfect sense to offer more training to women already in work. This can allow them to progress or change career. This event and project promises to be much needed and worthwhile.”

A workshop/discussion group will take place on Tuesday 28 November from 2-4pm in Leeds City College’s Printworks campus. The aim of the discussion will be to work together to develop a training plan that is industry-relevant and will benefit businesses in the region.

If you would like to give your views on the current and future skills needs, or you have an interest in delivering training please contact, Dr Joanne Harvatt to find out more, or to book your place: 0113 386 1958, joanne.harvatt@westyorkshirecolleges.ac.uk

WYCC is keen to scope ideas for delivering projects that will benefit all and will achieve real results for women who want to progress, or grow their skills in this area.

European Social Fund

The project has received £3.5million of funding from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding .

*Photo courtesy of WISE member British Sugar.

Read WISE's statistics about Women in STEM industries.