InnovateHer, the tech bootcamp for girls aged 12-16 is teaming up with Sony’s PlayStation brand to expand its eight week programme into more locations.
The digital bootcamp programme aims to give girls key tech and interpersonal skills and encouraging them to consider STEM subjects and careers in tech.
PlayStation has previously worked with InnovateHer’s sister brand, Liverpool Girl Geeks, to deliver a similar educational programme in 2016.
That programme saw 20 girls take part in technology themed workshops across 6 weeks, and included an invitation to PlayStation’s Wavertree offices to meet technical staff and learn more about how games are developed and tested.
Now, InnovateHer is working with PlayStation again to develop a scalable bootcamp programme with the goal of reaching more girls in new locations across the UK.
The after-school programme will be designed to teach girls technical skills, build confidence, and highlight local opportunities within the tech and digital industries.
InnovateHer said working with PlayStation has allowed it to extend the programme into areas including Guildford and London.
Programmes will start in selected schools in January of next year, and graduates of the programme will have a chance to showcase their work at next year’s Develop conference in Brighton.
“We’re proud to be working with PlayStation again on our tech programme for girls,” said Chelsea Slater, co-founder of InnovateHer.
“The issues we see around the gender pay gap and low numbers of women in the tech community are the culmination of the seeds that get sown early in young women’s academic careers.
“Our mission is to get girls ready for the tech industry, and to get the industry ready for girls, and a huge part of this is challenging the misconception that girls “can’t do” STEM subjects like Computer Science, equally that the STEM industry doesn’t cater for women.
“That’s why it’s important for us that our programme reaches girls not just locally, but nationally, too, and that it aims to show young women just what opportunities are open to them. Thanks to PlayStation’s support and recognition, we are able to do just that.”