Female STEM graduates and aspiring students across Wales are being urged to “step up and smash the gender divide” by applying for an industry-leading masters run by Wales’s top employers.
STEM students, and those looking to enter a STEM career, are being called on to get their applications into the Welsh Data Science and Analytics Programme, based in Cardiff, before the looming February 28th deadline.
The graduate development programme, which is run by the Wales Graduate Programme and a consortium of leading Welsh businesses including Admiral and GoCompare, is a fully-funded two year masters scheme aimed at fast-tracking graduates into rewarding roles.
During the scheme, students undertake three placements rotating across participating employers and tackling real-world business problems and projects. Alongside this they will also study for a part-time, fully funded MSc in Data Science & Analytics, which is delivered by the University of South Wales.
Rowena O’Sullivan, Wales Graduate Programme Manager, is calling on female graduates to get their applications in to mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science this week.
This comes as figures from the Wise Campaign show that the number of females working in STEM roles has exceeded one million for the first time.
But while this is an achievement said Ms O’Sullivan, more must be done to re-energise female uptake of technology roles.
Ms O’Sullivan said: “We are thrilled to see the number of females in STEM roles soaring to over one million for the first time. It’s vital that we encourage more females into the STEM workforce not just to bridge the gender gap but to tackle the predicted skills shortage which the UK is facing.
“To mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science we are urging females to step up and smash the gender divide. While the female STEM numbers are great news, the proportion of females in technology roles has stalled over the past decade, so more must be done to re-energise uptake of these.
“Our scheme offers a fantastic opportunity for females looking to break into an industry which is rich with opportunity.
“Whether you’re studying STEM subjects, or a subject which is linked with STEM, we’d encourage you to get your application in.
“With the deadline for applications just two weeks away, we are reminding everyone to act now before it’s too late.”
The Welsh Data Science and Analytics Programme supports students in developing a rounded data science and analytics skillset, as well as building their profile and network to fast track their career.
Alongside structured training and development at work, they will study for a part-time, fully funded MSc in Data Science & Analytics.
The Programme is managed by the Welsh Contact Centre Forum and is partly funded by the European Social Fund.
