BJSS, the UK’s leading privately-owned IT and business consultancy, and recent winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, has announced sponsorship of Digital Her: Inspire & Empower Roadshow to expand its support in inspiring and empowering girls in Manchester to engage with STEM-related subjects.
The programme, launched by Manchester Digital, will be rolled out across Greater Manchester constituencies to inspire as many young women in the region into careers in the digital industry. The visits will educate school pupils on the opportunities available to them in the industry and provide them with practical experiences to help them make informed choices and expose them to industry role models.
According to estimates, women make up between 11% and 17% of the UK technology industry. BJSS is proactively spearheading an increase of female representation across the industry and sees this partnership as a key part in its mission to encourage greater gender diversity across the tech industry. Key BJSS female role models will participate in these events and inspire delegates through interactive workshops and sessions.
As part of the company’s award-winning CSR programme, BJSS is also the official partner for Turinglab, an organisation dedicated to teaching fundamental coding skills to school children aged between 11 and 16. Part of this initiative is aimed at a number of state funded girls schools in Manchester, Leeds, London, Nottingham and Glasgow to ensure a fairer gender balance in STEM education.
Managing Director at Manchester Digital, Katie Gallagher, said: “We are very pleased to have BJSS on board as partners for our Digital Her programme. Inspiring young women to take up careers in digital and tech really isn’t possible without support from industry. Forward thinking companies like BJSS are committed to working with us to make a difference and ensure that our industry is inclusive and diverse.”
Matt Whalley, Head of Delivery for Manchester, commented: “We are proud to be an advocate for diversity in the technology sector, and very pleased that Manchester Digital is joining our portfolio of award-winning CSR partners. Together we will continue to promote our shared values of digital diversity and help shape the exciting future of technology in the North.”
