Amazon has launched Amazon Amplify with the aim to increase women in technology and innovation roles across its UK business.
The new programme builds on existing diversity-focused initiatives at the company, including programmes to ensure diverse interview panels and increase volumes of women applicants.
They will also include affinity groups for women, LGBT+, BAME and disabled employees, and transgender guidelines for managers and employees to support transgender staff and their allies.
The Amazon Amplify programme aims to further ramp up the recruitment and retention of women employees, encourage more women to consider careers in technology and help prevent some of the biggest barriers to career progression cited by women in STEM roles across different sectors.
The scheme will include the Amazon Women in Innovation Bursary, providing funding of over £130,000 a year for up to 24 women students to fulfil their ambitions of a career in innovation and technology and an Amazon degree apprenticeship programme.
“Diversity fosters greater innovation and helps raise the bar for customers, and having a diverse workforce is also just the right thing to do,” said Fiona McDonnell, director of consumer retail at Amazon and chair of the cross-industry Women in Innovation Advisory Committee.
“Our new Amazon Amplify plan aims to attract and retain the best and brightest talent in Britain, ensuring a positive environment in which they can thrive.”