This morning, QA and leading social enterprise Stemettes have launched the pilot of a free STEM Certification Academy designed to debunk myths and equip young women with industry recognised training and certifications.
The first Stemettes Certification Academy sets out to empower young women through training and certifications and to increase the number of women working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).
This initial pilot programme will take place at QA’s flagship training centre in St Katherine’s Dock. QA is offering free facilities, technology skills training from QA’s world-class qualified trainers and certifications to 10 young women (aged 16-20), all from diverse backgrounds, all with the shared aspirations to work in STEM.
The free, 3-day course will cover Agile project management- a core skill and working practice used across the tech sector, culminating in a graduation ceremony and certifications this Friday with successful completers gaining a globally recognised ICAgile qualification.
On the partnership, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, CEO & Co-founder, Stemettes, said: “This partnership between QA and Stemettes is a natural fit, as both organisations share a passion for empowering women to pursue careers across the STEM sector. This project is intended to debunk some of the myths that surround the tech sector and equip the young women, with specific technological knowledge – and crucially the industry-recognised certifications – they need to secure a successful and exciting career in the tech sector.
She continued: “The research shows that there is an aspiration amongst young women to pursue technology and other STEM careers. However, there are still perceived to be real barriers that are limiting UK female potential – one of these is a lack of understanding – which must be addressed. This half-term the Stemettes Certification Academy is a first important milestone in us achieving our organisational ambitions, which we’ll be widely publishing next year – to move the dial across the UK for young women and their communities, especially in Agile, Cyber and Coding skills.”
Paul Geddes, CEO, QA, said: “Given the skills gap across the STEM sector, and the dire shortfall of women in UK STEM roles, this is an important partnership with Stemettes, for us to jointly further bridge the technology skills gap. Working with our world-class trainers on ‘The Stemettes Certification Academy’, the women will be sufficiently upskilled in the latest Agile practices, with a view to supporting their technology career aspirations. Together with Stemettes, we are confident that this programme will be the first of many.”
Watch this video for a glimpse into the first Certification Academy!
Media Contacts:
Adrian Chan or Simon Glazer
Elate Communications
elate@elatecommunications.com
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