Expleo and InnovateHer will reach more than 600 students in UK schools this year with talks designed to attract more women to take up careers in technology and engineering.
The project, led by Expleo’s talented women engineers, is visiting four schools in 2023 in Preston, Derby and London to deliver Role Model Talks and Inspiring Assemblies to hundreds of young people.
The sessions are being delivered in partnership with InnovateHer, the Liverpool-based social enterprise that is on a mission to get girls ready for the tech industry and the industry ready for girls.
The in-school activity is part of a wider programme that includes mentoring for Expleo’s internal women’s networks and access to the InnovateHer learning platform, for its employees and the young people it reaches in school.
In-school programme
Expleo engineer, Hasna Begum led the visit to Preston’s Moor Park High School and met with young people eager to learn what it’s like to work in a tech-led business and to learn more about the career possibilities for women in the industry.
Hasna said: “At first, I was attracted to becoming an aeronautical engineer because it sounded different, then over time it became a passion of mine. Now, getting the opportunity to bring that passion to students has been really eye-opening, it’s great to see how the next generation of engineers think. And I really enjoyed being around them as they find the fun in the smallest activities.”
In Derby, Expleo engineers Celia Jones, Betty Hanson, Charlie Taktak and Taylor Reeve headed to Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar in the city.
Betty Hanson, Engineer, Expleo, commented: “I joined the company in an administrator role, then through internal development opportunities, I became a draughting engineer. It has made me realise that getting young women into engineering is incredibly important, so, getting involved with InnovateHer was something I was very excited about.”
Building a partnership
This is the first partnership between Expleo and a UK social enterprise focused on increasing diversity in the sector and attracting more women to careers in technology and engineering, with plans to grow the project further next year.
Jeff Hoyle, EVP of ASD and MD, Expleo, UK, said: “For too long now there’s been a lack of support for young people, especially women, looking to take up careers in tech and engineering.
“By working with InnovateHer we can reach young people and showcase the variety of careers open to them in our industry – along with highlighting the number of opportunities right here in the North-West and across the UK to realise their career ambitions.”
Hoyle added: “We’re committed to increasing diversity at Expleo and we’re in it for the long-term. We’re investing today, to see the benefits tomorrow and by working with InnovateHer to get out there in local communities and connect our brilliant, passionate engineers to the region’s young people we’re hoping to make a big difference – who knows, we might light a spark in someone, who goes on to become our next Chief Engineer or Lead Data Scientist.”
Chelsea Slater, CEO, InnovateHer said: “By working with partners like Expleo, we’re building a future where greater diversity and representation in tech and engineering will be the norm, not the exception. Through our mentoring programme and in-school education projects, we’re able to reach thousands of young people and help guide them towards life-changing opportunities.”
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