Apple supported the programme last year and for 2024 participants will also be offered the opportunity to join Apple’s Mentorship Programme and connect with Apple engineers to provide advice.
“At Apple we deeply believe that technology helps expand what’s possible for learning, and are committed to providing access for all learners to have the chance and the tools to dream big and pursue opportunities,” said Mari-Anne Chiromo, Apple Inclusion and Diversity Partnerships Lead, EMEIA.
“With our sponsorship of last year’s programme, UKESF saw record participation, and we hope to go beyond those numbers in 2024. At Apple, we are always looking for diverse engineering talent and this programme, plus our mentoring scheme, allows us to connect with future engineers.”
Aimed at Year 11’s and sixth-formers, the Girls into Electronics programme will run across twelve partner universities this summer. These include Bristol, King’s College London, Leeds, Southampton and Strathclyde. The Apple Mentorship Programme will run for 3 to 6 months starting this autumn.
At its heart is a one-day event at one of the universities of choice. During the day, participants will find out more about electronics and studying the subject at university level, as well as hearing from female graduate engineers working in the electronics sector.
Apple Growing
The UKESF highlighted how interest in the programme was growing – in 2023, more than double the number of female students participated (400) compared to the previous year. Building on that success, the programme aims to provide opportunities for hundreds of girls between the ages of 15 and 18 to be inspired by electronics.
“We are now seeing the positive impact of Girls into Electronics programme as more female students are starting Electronics degrees,” said Stewart Edmondson, CEO at UKESF.
“The support from Apple has been invaluable and has enabled us to grow this vital programme and I’m delighted to continue our partnerships with the UK’s leading universities in 2024. Girls into Electronics is shining example of what can be achieved when we work together on skills challenges.”
Registration is open for Girls into Electronics 2024, and the events will take place in June and July 2024. Schools, individual students and parents can register their interest via the UKESF website here.
The award-winning initiative – it was an Elektra Awards winner in 2023 (Educational Support Award) – is now in its third year.
See also: UKESF ‘Future Engineering Skills in the Age of AI’ warns of UK skills shortage
