Apple is working with UKESF to get more girls into electronics

Arduino (Unsplash / Sahand Babali)

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Announced to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the initiative will take place in June and July and aims to support 400 girls between the ages of 15 and 18.

According to UKESF, the UK holds 8% of the global semiconductor market, which is expected to reach $136 billion by 2024. However, the demand for employable graduates far outstrips supply.

Furthermore, figures reveal that only 3,245 students are enrolled in electronic and electrical engineering degrees in the UK in 2021, and only 335 are women. The initiative aims to raise this figure and improve the gender imbalance in the sector.

Under the scheme, the events will be organized in collaboration with 15 of the UK’s leading universities, including Imperial College London, Bristol, Leeds, and Southampton.

Events will include lectures, input from current students, department tours, and an introduction to microcontrollers. Online sessions and other hands-on activities, such as a hands-on session with Arduino, will also be provided.

“Many students touch on electronics in physics and computer science lessons at school, but the breadth, complexity and importance of this field is often not fully understood,” said Stu Edmundson, UKESF Chief Executive. “This initiative will ensure that more young people get to experience this fascinating and creative subject, and learn about the worthwhile opportunities available in electronics engineering.”