Giving women the chance to succeed in STEM: Presenting our Supporting Women and Girls in STEM Apprenticeships: Employer's Guide

STEM jobs need fresh talent, and employers need support in recruiting and supporting more women and girls into work.

Statistics show that the number of jobs with STEM requirements is growing faster than other types of role. But with the widening skills gap, employers are struggling to fill them fast enough.

Working with a variety of grassroots groups and charities has shown us that there are plenty of young people with the potential to grow into a successful STEM career. This is especially true of women and girls – there are tens and thousands of them who could easily become STEM success stories. The European Institute for Gender Equality reports that closing the gender gap in STEM education can foster economic growth, with a study suggesting more gender equality in 2050 can lead to:

• between 6.3 and 10.5 million additional jobs
• growing, positive impact on GDP
• an increase in GDP per capita to almost 10%.

To reach this desired target, we need to ensure the right support and advice is there for candidates, and employers. That’s why we developed the Supporting Women and Girls in STEM Apprenticeships: Employer's Guide, which is now live on the Enginuity website.

The guide presents practical advice and insights for employers to help women overcome the barriers they face when accessing STEM apprenticeships – from stereotyping issues to difficulties in recruitment. In the Employer’s Guide you’ll find four key areas of focus for giving candidates the help they need to find their way towards a successful apprenticeship in a STEM-focused role.

• Generating an interest in STEM subjects from an early age
• Developing strategies to actively recruit more women and girls
• Providing apprentices with the support and encouragement they need
• Making organisational changes to retain women in STEM roles.

You’ll also find a guide to apprenticeships, showing why they’re a great place for women to begin a career in STEM. And we find out how leading employers are creating these opportunities, in a series of case studies.

The resources available in the Supporting Women and Girls in STEM Apprenticeships: Employer's Guide will show you how to work with local educators to provide valuable opportunities to those in the community, and make changes to the workplace to create a more inclusive environment. Find out how apprentices are already making their mark with the opportunities they were given, and start planning those opportunities for your own workplace.

The Supporting Women and Girls in STEM Apprenticeships: Employer's Guide is now live. Visit our Contact Form if you'd like to register your interest in receiving further information.