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New bursaries have been launched to encourage more local girls to study what are traditionally male-dominated subjects.
Soroptimist International Jersey Charitable Trust - a service club that aims to improve the lives of girls and women - has partnered with Highlands College to offer three bursaries of £1,500 to girls studying STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) courses after their GCSEs.
It is hoped the bursaries will help encourage more female students to go into one of the six technical areas of study Highlands College offer and which have historically been male dominated.
They include automotive studies, building services, building trades, digital games development, information technology and mechanical engineering and welding.
Pictured: Three girls studying STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) courses after their GCSEs at Highlands College could be receiving £1,500 in bursaries.
“The purpose of each bursary is to enhance the student’s learning experience, potentially through visits to other top-performing training institutions besides ourselves, or for the purchase of tailored digital resources,” Highlands College Principal, Jo Terry-Marchant, said.
“This really is a fabulous opportunity for three lucky students and we are truly grateful that Soroptimist International Jersey have chosen to partner with us in our mission to transform lives.”
Soroptomists President Catherine Kirby said that, since its launch in 1950, members had been committed to making the island and the wider world “a more equal place by educating, enabling and empowering women and girls."
Although businesses understand the importance of a diverse workforce, Ms Kirby added, many girls do not believe a career in a STEM subject is for them - a perception they hope to change.
Pictured: Soroptimist International Jersey President, Catherine Kirby.
She said: “The club hopes these three STEM bursaries will encourage and enable increasing numbers of girls to take up the challenge of entering these still male-dominated areas of work, which will be of benefit to us all.”
Anyone interested in applying for one of the bursaries should contact Catherine Kirby at soroptimistsjersey@gmail.com.
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