The highly anticipated Girl Tech event has made its return to Leeds, marking the first of five major digital insights days set to take place across the UK this year. Aimed at inspiring and informing young women about career opportunities in tech and innovation, the initiative brings together representatives from leading businesses and female role models in the sector to connect with the next generation of talent.
Now in its eighth year, Girl Tech is designed and facilitated by social-value specialist Ahead Partnership. The programme aims to address the gender disparities within tech by reaching young women who may not yet be aware of or have connections to the rapidly evolving sector. By offering early intervention and access to female mentors, the initiative helps ensure that these young women can discover their potential within the tech industry.
Recent statistics from Women in Tech highlight the need for such programmes: only 29% of the UK tech workforce is female, and 76% of those women report experiencing gender bias or discrimination at work. By focusing on young women ahead of their GCSE choices, Girl Tech provides a valuable opportunity to connect with them at a pivotal moment in their career journey.
The event also serves as a platform for participating businesses and mentors to unite, offering a chance to open up new pathways for young women while contributing to a more diverse future workforce. This collaborative effort aims to reduce bias and promote equality within the sector.
Suzie Bell, Programme Manager at Ahead Partnership, said:
“Against increasing resistance and challenges to DE&I on an international scale, it is so encouraging to see some of the best and the brightest in tech and innovation banding together to secure better opportunities for the next generation of female talent, in what is set to be our biggest celebration of Girl Tech to date.”
The impact of the Girl Tech programme is evident in the results. According to feedback from the 2024 event, 94% of attendees reported a greater understanding of the skills required to work in the digital sector, compared to just 67% before the event. Additionally, 88% of participants expressed an increased interest in pursuing a career in tech.
Kate Watson, Social Value Lead at Netcompany UK, a key sponsor of the event, shared:
“It’s been a privilege to support Girl Tech from its origins to now, and we are particularly proud to have played a part in its journey of growth – now changing prospects for young women across the country.”
Netcompany and other sponsors, including Optum, Liberty Blume, and Sulzer, have helped expand Girl Tech across the UK. The event is part of the wider Growing Talent Digital Leeds programme, which engages young people aged 10-18 and encourages them to consider careers in digital to address skills gaps within the industry.
Looking ahead, Girl Tech will expand to the West Midlands and, for the first time, will launch in Manchester, London, and the North East. Suzie Bell added:
“We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners in securing better opportunities for all young people, and creating a more diverse and suitably skilled workforce of the future.”
To learn more about Girl Tech and the ongoing efforts to empower young women in tech, visit Ahead Partnership’s Girl Tech page.
