Nottingham-headquartered software firm Ideagen has launched its ‘Ideagen Women in Technology’ programme in an effort to drive engagement with young people in the local area alongside several careers bodies.
The programme with Ideagen – which is part of a wider initiative involving The Futures Group, D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, The Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) and Greenwood Academies Trust – involves all year groups in the school.
The firm is teaming up with Nottingham Girls’ Academy on the programme as it looks to raise career prospects for women who want a career in technology.
Nottingham Girls’ Academy has created a careers strategy focussing on challenging gender stereotypes with the purpose on increasing the rate of girls embarking into science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) careers.
Students will conduct cloud and collaborative computing projects, complete work experience placements and take part in ‘Internet of Everything’ coursework for a product idea.
The firm said there will also be curriculum learning on the fundamentals of IT, AR and VR tech, a careers networking session with Ideagen professionals and chances to win prizes through a challenging technology project.
The programme also includes targeted support for students at key transition points throughout their secondary and 6th form education.
It will also provide digital tech expertise and experiences to the new T-Level qualification being delivered in the 6th form.
Ideagen’s CEO, Ben Dorks, who has been an Enterprise Advisor for Nottingham City Schools since 2017, said encouraging more women into technology careers is a personal passion.
“It is vitally important that we at Ideagen, as a local employer and a successful and consistently growing technology leader in the global governance, risk and compliance (GRC) space, do all we can to encourage young people – and particularly young women – into careers in technology,” he said.
“This subject has been a personal passion for a number of years now, and I am delighted and privileged to be in a position to encourage more women into a career in technology.”
Jenny Saunders, Careers Leader at Nottingham Girls’ Academy, added: “We are excited to be part of this project as we know that future employment will involve our pupils building on their understanding of technology and its role in the workforce.
“This project enables a large cross section of our pupils to gain experience of how technology will impact their lives. Opening up discussions around career paths and helping our pupils reach their full potential is what we strive for at not just the Academy but at a Trust level.”