InnovateHer is a national initiative which  works with around 55 schools and is pledging to reach more than 1,000 girls by 2020. Tony McDonough reports

North West property giant Bruntwood is teaming up with Liverpool-based social enterprise InnovateHer to offer girls a clear route into careers in technology.

InnovateHer is a national initiative which launched in 26 schools across the North West in 2018 and now works with around 55 schools. It is pledging to reach more than 1,000 girls by 2020.

It operates an after-school enrichment course that aims to inspire girls to study STEM related subjects by highlighting the job opportunities that exist in innovation sectors and connecting them with leading industry role models to help reduce the ever-changing skills gap.

Its partnership with Bruntwood will see a specific education and skills programme delivered to students at Liverpool Life Sciences UTC in the Baltic Triangle over the course of eight weeks, followed by a year-long mentoring process with senior Bruntwood team members.

Build confidence

Chelsea Slater, co-founder and director of InnovateHer, said: “We’re so excited to be partnering with Bruntwood this year. The first school they will be supporting is Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, where we will teach up to 20 girls tech skills, build their confidence, exhibit inspiring digital spaces and showcase role models from Bruntwood and partner companies.”

InnovateHer has worked with more than 240 girls in 12 schools to date, enabling them to interact with leading employers and industry role models, alongside providing careers coaching. It is on a mission to make a significant impact on gender inequality in tech globally.

Other private sector partners such as Co-op Digital and Code ComputerLove, will also assist the InnovateHer team in delivering the programme.

Feel inspired

Kelly McNair at Bruntwood added: “We know from our work with digital and creative businesses that necessary skills evolve at a tremendous pace. It’s crucial therefore that young people feel inspired with the right training and information to be able to pursue a career in STEM with confidence.   

“The number of girls pursuing such careers remains significantly lower than boys, so we are really excited to become a gold level partner with InnovateHer and have the opportunity to work with them and Liverpool Life Sciences UTC to deliver our eight-week STEM programme.

“This partnership also reaffirms our commitment to supporting ambitious communities and locations across the Liverpool city region to uncover the next generation of entrepreneurs, creators and thinkers.”