Posted on: 08/11/11
Northgate Managed Services, one of the UK’s leading providers of educational IT services and solutions, has sponsored e-skills UK’s Computer Clubs for Girls (CC4G) in 20 schools across Northern Ireland.
e-skills UK research shows that girls are turning away from IT at an early age. The economically and socially damaging fact is that fewer young women are entering the UK’s IT workforce - currently women represent just 17% of the UK’s IT workforce. This means women are missing out on exciting and rewarding careers, and organisations are missing out on half the talent pool.
To address this trend, CC4G re-launched in September 2011 with a brand new website created by Aardman, the people behind Wallace & Gromit. Girls aged 10 to 14 enter a fun, virtual world which aims to inspire them to consider future careers in IT by bringing technology to life through topics they enjoy, such as fashion, music, and sport.
Working independently through activities and challenges, girls can see the practical application of technology, such as using their technical and project management skills to coordinate a fashion show and create an e-commerce fashion website. The website allows learners to share their progress outside the classroom, helping to bridge the gap between what happens at home and at school.
Commenting on the CC4G project Eleanor Lee, Marketing Director at Northgate Managed Services said; “It is fantastic for Northgate to have the opportunity to play an active role in this hugely worthwhile initiative. The importance of engaging with the next generation as early as possible cannot be overstated. In today’s economic climate nothing could be more important than giving young people the resources to have bright futures, and now more than ever that means technology.”
Carol McConville, e-skills UK, said: "Having an organisation of Northgate’s stature on board is just fantastic and a real endorsement of CC4G. Their support and sponsorship has allowed 20 schools from across Northern Ireland to take part in the project and to run a CC4G club. These clubs will not only teach the girls valuable IT skills, but will also show them the importance of teamwork and project management, and help develop their communication skills.
"We know that there are many more schools that want to set up a CC4G club, but without further sponsorship this is just not possible. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage other businesses to follow Northgate’s example and get involved with their local school."
To date, more than 135,000 girls in 3,800 schools have experienced the magic of CC4G and with the continued support of employers many more can continue to do so.
To find out more about CC4G, please go to www.e-skills.com/cc4g.
For information on sponsoring a school or group of schools, please contact carol.mcconville@e-skills.com
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