BJSS, the UK’s leading privately-owned IT and business consultancy, and recent winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, today announces headline sponsorship of Digital Her to expand its objective of inspiring and empowering young women to engage with STEM-related school subjects.

The programme, provided by Manchester Digital across Greater Manchester constituencies, aims to inspire as many young women in the region into careers in the digital industry. The visits will educate school pupils on the opportunities available to them in the industry and provide them with practical experiences to help them make informed choices and expose them to industry role models.

According to estimates, women make up between 11% and 17% of the UK technology industry. BJSS is proactively spearheading an increase of female representation across the industry and sees this partnership as a key part of its mission to encourage greater gender diversity across the tech industry. Key BJSS female role models will participate in these events and will inspire delegates through interactive workshops and sessions.

As part of the company’s award-winning CSR programme, BJSS is also the official partner for Turinglab, an organisation dedicated to teaching fundamental coding skills to school children aged between 11 and 16. Part of this initiative is aimed at a number of state-funded girls schools in Manchester, Leeds, London, Nottingham and Glasgow to ensure a fairer gender balance in STEM education.

Managing Director at Manchester Digital, Katie Gallagher said: “We are very pleased to have BJSS on board as partners for our Digital Her programme. Inspiring young women to take up careers in digital and tech really isn’t possible without support from the industry. Forward-thinking companies like BJSS are committed to working with us to make a difference and ensure that our industry is inclusive and diverse.”

Matt Whalley, Head of Delivery for Manchester, comments: “We are proud to be an advocate for diversity in the technology sector and very pleased that Manchester Digital is joining our portfolio of award-winning CSR partners. Together we will continue to  promote our shared values of digital diversity, and help shape the exciting future of technology in the North.”

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