Accenture is the first employer to support Girl Geeks Campus, a new national programme to support female students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers.
Girl Geeks Campus has been launched initially at Newcastle and Northumbria Universities and offers female STEM students opportunities to discover career paths and develop employability skills.
Accenture is one of the programme’s leading employers who will provide participating students with mentoring and career guidance as well as opportunities to develop professional skills and meet industry role models.
Bob Paton, managing director, Newcastle Delivery Centre at Accenture, said:
“This is a vital initiative to encourage more women to pursue STEM careers, both in the North East and across the UK.
“Businesses – particularly those like Accenture, where we recruit STEM graduates – need to collaborate with the education sector to engage more females who are about to embark on their career paths.
“This exciting programme will increase access to career opportunities for female STEM students and ultimately help them to fulfil their potential.”
Mia Chapman, director at Girl Geeks, added:
“I am incredibly proud to be working with Accenture, Newcastle University and Northumbria University to have the opportunity to prove the Girl Geeks Campus concept in supporting students and looking forward to the positive impact it will bring to the talent pipeline.
“Promoting diversity in STEM is vital, through extensive research and consultation undertaken; Girl Geeks Campus has been developed as a concept to increase the role of technical females in education and subsequently industry.
“Our collaboration with academia and industry employers is the next progression for us to support the development of women and the skills needed to have a rewarding career in STEM.”