Who said that STEM are just for boys?
Gender equality charity Chwarae Teg, and Bridgend College, are partnering with Zimmer Biomet to present a careers fair on March 5.
Not Just for Boys aims to give girls in years 8 and 9, from invited local schools, the chance to find out more about different career options before they set about choosing their GCSE subjects. Ysgol Brynteg School, Coleg Cymunedol y Dderwen and Bryntirion Comprehensive School have confirmed attendance.
In the recent Bright! Report carried out by Chwarae Teg exploring young women’s career aspirations, 87 per cent of the survey participants felt that gender stereotypes continued to affect young women’s careers.
Women are still favouring traditionally female dominated sectors, despite the need for more women in sectors such as manufacturing, which can offer higher salaries.
The event is also timely as it falls during National Careers Week and just before National Science and Engineering Week (9 March) and British Science Week (11 March).
Zimmer Biomet is one of Bridgend’s largest employers and passionate about innovation and technologies, specialising in the design and manufacture of orthopaedic implants such as knees, and hips.
Exhibitors will include Dwr Cymru, TATA Steel, Network Rail, Willmott Dixon, Dow Corning, British Science Association, Technocamps, ISG, Chwarae Teg.
Emma Tamplin from Chwarae Teg said: “Chwarae Teg wants to give girls the opportunity to consider careers that might not be traditionally thought of as options for women, and we’re delighted to be working with a high profile, global company like Zimmer Biomet to spread this message. Not Just for Boys gives girls a chance to meet role models from the different sectors and to try their hands at new skills.
“Current surveys indicate that only 11% of the UK’s engineering workforce is female and that the UK has the lowest percentage of female engineering professionals in Europe.
“This event at Zimmer Biomet, a really important local employer, will show girls that they too can aspire to a career in engineering or other non-traditional sectors.”
Joanne Rooker, Senior HR Manager, Operations from Zimmer Biomet said: “We’re really excited to be hosting Not Just for Boys in partnership with Chwarae Teg and Bridgend College. It promises to be a fantastic event with some amazing people and organisations taking part on the day. In an industry such as ours we need to attract a skilled workforce and encouraging girls to study and qualify in relevant subjects is a key part of that. We’re really looking forward to playing our part in inspiring young women from the local area to achieve their dreams and prosper in their careers.”
