Ideagen's community education efforts inspiring young women to pursue STEM careers

Apr 25, 24

In celebration of International Girls in ICT Day, Ideagen, a leading provider of software solutions to regulated and high-compliance industries, is spotlighting its ongoing commitment to inspiring girls and young women to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

This year's theme, ‘Leadership’, underscores the crucial need for more female role models in the fields of technology and innovation, a mission Ideagen actively supports through its transformative community initiatives. 

In 2019, the company launched a 'Women in Tech' partnership with Nottingham Girls Academy to spark a lasting interest in technology among students and encourage them to see a future filled with exciting career opportunities in the sector. 

Commenting on the success of the partnership, Claire Knee, Ideagen Global Community and Social Impact Lead, said: “It's been a perfect pairing of ambitions between a secondary academy, with a careers strategy that focuses on challenging gender stereotypes to increase the number of girls entering STEM careers, and Ideagen’s aspirations of attracting more women into ICT through education engagement and employment opportunities. 

“We must break down barriers and foster an inclusive environment where young women are empowered to pursue and excel in STEM careers. Through our collaboration, we aspire to equip students with the skills and confidence needed for these roles. This is crucial not only for fostering diversity within our industry but also for ensuring the continued innovation that drives us forward.” 

The partnership continues to grow, with Nottingham Girls Academy students visiting Ideagen's global headquarters to participate in masterclasses, engage in hands-on activities and tackle 'Tech4Good' challenges. These visits offer students the opportunity to meet current apprentices and women working in tech roles, providing valuable insight into their experiences. Female Ideagen ambassadors have also visited the school to conduct 'Be Like Me' sessions. 

In addition, Ideagen annually supports the Academy's Internet of Everything coursework for sixth form students. This involves pupils presenting their projects at Ideagen HQ, where they receive industry insights and feedback from Ideagen colleagues – a crucial component for meeting the accreditation requirements of their qualifications. 

Tony Gaskell, Head of Computing and Business at Nottingham Girls Academy, added: "We’ve had a long and incredibly productive relationship with Ideagen. Many of our students have presented there as part of their coursework and received constructive feedback that's enabled them to progress with confidence to the next stages of their qualification. 

“We've also enjoyed tours around the offices with many cohorts, looking at the large variety of positions available and the diverse yet cohesive community that Ideagen has created. Our students always leave with a palpable sense of enthusiasm and increased determination to pursue a career in technology. We hope it continues far into the future." 

Despite significant strides in workforce equality, women’s participation in ICT and related fields remains low. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reports that although women now occupy 40% of high-skill occupations globally, they are notably underrepresented in software development, engineering and technology research. 

Ideagen's Think Big programme – in which Nottingham Girls Academy are active participants – is seeking to reverse this trend by inspiring a new generation of tech innovators and leaders. 

In collaboration with the Nottingham Forest Community Trust (NFCT), the project aims to raise awareness of the diverse tech-related career paths available and encourage more young people to pursue technology careers after their education.  

So far, the educational programme has reached over 37,000 young individuals across Nottinghamshire, motivating them to see a future where they can make a big impact in the tech world.