How to get women and girls into STEM through work experience

Work experience can be a powerful tool for encouraging more women and girls into STEM apprenticeships. Gatsby Benchmark 6 emphasises the importance of first-hand experience in the workplace such as shadowing, internships, and work visits, in helping students to explore career options and build networks.

Experience of the workplace forms a central part of the Labour Government’s commitment to supporting young people through their ‘Youth Guarantee’, as set out in their 2024 election manifesto. This commitment seeks to help more young people with access to training, apprenticeships, and job search support – including two weeks of guaranteed work experience during secondary school.

STEM-related work experience remains limited, however, with only around 15% of young students having completed a STEM-related placement in 2023,¹ and a further 26% eager to do so but unable to secure one.² This gap highlights the importance of increasing opportunities, particularly for women and girls, who are underrepresented in STEM fields.

How to get women and girls into STEM through work experience

• Promote opportunities: Get in touch and actively promote STEM work experience opportunities to schools and colleges, encouraging young women and girls to apply. Posting on STEM-focused sites and social media platforms can further broaden your reach.
• Tailored work experience: Design work experience programmes specifically for women and girls. This can help challenge stereotypes about STEM careers and build strong connections between employers and potential apprentices, inspiring more young women to pursue careers in these fields.
• Offer some flexibility: Build in some placement options tailored to the age, interests, and commitment levels of participants. For instance, a shorter five-day plan might suit younger students, while a more intensive two-week experience would benefit older apprentices seeking a career shift.
• Health & Safety considerations: Consider the potential differences in health and safety requirements for different age groups and needs when planning work experience placements. The Health and Safety Executive provides valuable guidance to ensure the workplace is suitable for younger participants.
• Prepare your team: Educate staff on the goals of the program and the importance of encouraging more women into STEM careers. All employees should understand how they can contribute to creating a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Assign mentors: Provide girls with a woman mentor or key contact throughout their work experience. This mentor should engage with them before, during, and after the placement to ensure consistent support and guidance.
• Welcome pack: Prepare a welcome pack for participants before they start, including essential information like working hours, dress codes, and their key contact. Include a section for parents that contains a general overview of your company, the work experience process, and the STEM sector.
• Post-experience support: Provide clear information about available STEM apprenticeship options at the end of the placement, or further opportunities for work experience. Make sure participants know who to contact for further guidance, and encourage them to ask questions and seek support as they consider their next steps.

T Level placements (England only)

T Level placements can serve as a vital stepping stone to STEM apprenticeships by providing students with relevant experience and skills that align closely with the requirements of these apprenticeships. You can encourage students to see higher-level STEM apprenticeships as a natural progression route by engaging with colleges to offer T Level placements to students.

T Levels are a two-year vocational qualification designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed for work or further education. The qualifications are designed in collaboration with employers, combining classroom learning with practical industry experience.

T Level courses include a substantial industry placement, which must be completed for students to pass their T Level. The placement usually requires 315 hours (approximately 45 days) over the two-year programme.

There are many benefits for employers who offer T Level placements, including:

• Access to emerging talent
• Enhanced productivity and additional resource
• Skills development
• Increased employer branding
• Innovation and learning
• Improved diversity and inclusion.

Speak to your local college or training provider to find out more about T Levels, and visit the website:

T Levels | The Next Level Qualification

Useful links:

• Reimagining Experiences of the Workplace - Careers and Enterprise
• Make It Work - Careers and Enterprise
• Making work experience work: Guide for employers - CIPD

Sources

¹ Science Education Tracker - Royal Society

² Young people show declining aspirations in STEM - STEM Learning