A new initiative aimed at inspiring young women in the West Midlands to pursue careers in technology and innovation has been launched by Ahead Partnership, a leading ESG specialist. The programme, known as Girl Tech West Midlands, is designed to provide students with insights and connections as they prepare to make their GCSE choices.
On Friday, the interactive digital insights day brought together 67 students from six secondary schools across the region. The event featured a diverse array of activities, including panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities with female role models and industry leaders. The aim is to showcase the growing number of roles available in the tech sector and help foster personal development among participants.
The event was supported by prominent employers and partners, such as Accenture, Currys, Intercity, Goldman Sachs, and Pinsent Masons. Representatives from these organisations engaged directly with young women and non-binary participants, sharing their personal experiences and insights to inspire the next generation of talent in tech.
Becky Patel, Head of Education and Learning at Tech She Can, opened the event with a speech highlighting the connection between various school subjects and potential career paths in digital sectors. Her talk aimed to help participants recognise how their interests align with opportunities in technology and innovation.
Girl Tech West Midlands is a key feature of Ahead Partnership’s Growing Talent West Midlands programme, which has already reached over 28,799 young people with the help of more than 446 business volunteers. The initiative specifically targets the underrepresentation of women in tech by providing hands-on insights and fostering interest in the field.
This programme is particularly timely, as the West Midlands has been identified as the UK’s fastest-growing digital sector. The region is on track to create an additional 52,000 digital tech jobs and generate £2.7 billion in growth. With this backdrop, Ahead Partnership is keen to ensure that opportunities within the tech industry are visible and accessible to all young people.
Tom Morrissey, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating, “We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to participate in Girl Tech West Midlands for another year. Supporting programmes like this is vital for the future workforce of the banking, tech, and digital sectors.”
Stephanie Burras CBE, Chief Executive at Ahead Partnership, remarked on the collaborative spirit of the event, saying, “We are grateful to see the best of digital and tech coming together to support young women and showcase the incredible opportunities available to them at such a pivotal time in their education.”
As the programme celebrates its 20th anniversary, it marks two decades of progress in the ESG and social mobility sectors, reinforcing the commitment of local employers to inspire and nurture the next generation of diverse talent.
With initiatives like Girl Tech West Midlands, the aim is clear: to create an inclusive and skilled talent pipeline that not only addresses current skills gaps but also empowers young women to envision a future in technology.
